Jack Brabham

Born Apr 2, 1926 · Hurstville, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Sir Jack Brabham (April 2, 1926 – May 19, 2014) was an Australian racing driver and engineer, celebrated as one of the greatest pioneers in Formula 1. Born in Hurstville, New South Wales, Brabham began his career as a mechanic and quickly moved into racing, making a name for himself in Australian motorsport before moving to Europe. He won three Formula 1 World Championships (1959, 1960, and 1966) and made history in 1966 as the only driver to win the championship in a car of his own construction, the Brabham BT19. In 1961, Brabham co-founded the Brabham racing team with engineer Ron Tauranac, creating a series of innovative cars that became highly competitive in Formula 1. Brabham’s engineering expertise and pioneering spirit led to advancements in car design, reliability, and performance. He retired from Formula 1 in 1970 but left a legacy as a driver, team owner, and engineer. Brabham was knighted in 1979 for his contributions to motorsport, and his influence continues through generations of racers, including his sons who also became racing drivers.