---
title: "John Surtees, F1 and Motorcycle Racing Hero, Dies at 83"
description: "Surtees is the only person who has ever won world championships with both motorcycles and F1 racing."
date: "2017-03-10"
modified: "2017-03-13"
authors:
  - name: "Aaron Brown"
    job_title: "Staff Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/aaron-brown"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/8240/john-surtees-f1-and-motorcycle-racing-hero-dies-at-83"
categories:
  - "F1"
  - "News"
  - "Racing"
tags:
  - "Formula One"
---

# John Surtees, F1 and Motorcycle Racing Hero, Dies at 83

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/03/gettyimages-464479293.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Formula One and motorcycle racing world champion John Surtees died at age 83, [according to a statement ](<https://www.facebook.com/henrysurteesfoundation/posts/687911021370200:0>)released by the Henry Surtees Foundation Friday morning.

Surtees was in intensive care at a hospital in London after being admitted for an[ existing respiratory condition](<https://www.facebook.com/henrysurteesfoundation/posts/687911021370200:0>), according to the statement.

Surtees took the F1 world championship win for Ferrari in 1964 and also won the GP motorcycle championship four times in the years 1956, 1958, 1959, and 1960. The racing legend is the only person who has won world champions on motorcycles and in F1 racing. For more information on Surtees's life and career, check out[ F1's official hall of fame page](<https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/drivers/hall-of-fame/John_Surtees.html>).

"We deeply mourn the loss of such an incredible, kind and loving man as well as celebrate his amazing life," said the family in the Facebook statement. "He has set a very real example of someone who kept pushing himself at his peak and one who continued fighting until the very end."

Motorsport fans and automotive industry professionals on Twitter reacted to the news Friday morning.

https://twitter.com/_/status/840238575656546305

https://twitter.com/_/status/840229491658117124

https://twitter.com/_/status/840234139232133121

https://twitter.com/_/status/840236418874105856

https://twitter.com/_/status/840230759273234432

https://twitter.com/_/status/840238575656546305

https://twitter.com/_/status/840242223593721860

## Author
Aaron was previously a contributing writer with Jalopnik and has also written for Business Insider covering cars. When he's not in the office writing the news, you'll probably find him thrashing a beater car around a RallyCross.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/aaronmaxb>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/aaronmaxb>)