Former F1 and motorcycle world champion John Surtees

John Surtees, the only man to win the Formula One and motorcycle grand prix titles has died aged 83, his family has announced.

Mr Surtees, who won the F1 title in 1964 to add to his 500cc motorcycle world titles from 1956, 1958, 1959 and 1960, “passed away peacefully”.

His wife Jane and daughters Leonora and Edwina were by his side.

The statement added: “John was a loving husband, father, brother and friend.

“He was also one of the true greats of motorsport and continued to work tirelessly up until recently with the Henry Surtees Foundation and Buckmore Park Kart Circuit.”

During a motorcycle career which saw him race for Norton and MV Augusta, he also became the first man to win the Senior TT on the Isle of Man three years in succession.

He started more than 100 F1 grands prix, winning six, in a career which took him to Ferrari, Cooper and Honda, as well as starting a team which bore his name.

In 2009 his son Henry was killed while competing in a Formula Two race at Brands Hatch, aged 18, when he was struck on the head by a wheel which had become detached from another car.

The Henry Surtees Award was launched in his memory by the family in 2010 to be awarded annually for the most outstanding performance by a rising motor racer. John Surtees was awarded the CBE in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to motorsport.

John Surtees.