Dead at just 62, the dashing Marquess who lived his life at 200mph
Tributes to Scots aristocrat and Le Mans winner, Johnny Dumfries
HE was the colourful Marquess who split his time between the glamorous world of motor racing and the quiet life on the scenic Scottish Isle of Bute.
But now the grieving family of the Marquess of Bute have announced he has died at the age of 62 following a short illness.
John Crichton-Stuart spent part of his life as Johnny Dumfries, competing in races all over the world. But, as the 7th Marquess, he also spent a large part of his time at his ancestral home, Mount Stuart, on the island.
Yesterday his family described him as a ‘devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, son and grandfather and loved by all’. They said: ‘The indomitable spirit and energy which Johnny brought to his life will be greatly missed, and the immense warmth and love with which he embraced his family.
‘His heart was firmly rooted on the island of Bute where he spent much of his time. Johnny chaired the Board of Mount Stuart Trust from its active inauguration in 2005 when Mount Stuart and its gardens opened to the public, and its rural estate was vested into the charita2012,
‘Dada, my hero this year and every year’
ble trust. He was a moderniser and an inspirational thinker, transitioning a family home to a progressive, working visitor facility and estate.
‘His island projects include the internationally respected Bute Fabrics and, most recently, the Kerrylamont Centre for Rural Excellence and Bute Yard. He was a philanthropist through his foundation, particularly focusing on Scotland and the West Coast. His family request privacy at this time.’
He invented the name Johnny Dumfries and gained fame with it as an F1 driver in the 1980s – he had been taught to drive at his family’s Bute estate by his late father, the 6th Marquess.
Dumfries had worked as driver of the Williams team bus and was rewarded for his dedication when he was given the chance to try karting in 1980.
He then graduated to Formula 3, clinching the British Championship in 1984 after winning 14 races.
He progressed to F1 in 1986, partnering the late Ayrton Senna at Lotus.
It turned out to be his one and only season in F1, as he picked up just three points.
But his love of speed did not diminish and he went on to try endurance car racing.
In 1988 he was one of a threeman team that won the Le Mans 24-hour race, before retiring in 1991 due to the illness of his father, Lord Bute.
He took over the family’s 300acre Mount Stuart estate, with its grand 19th century mansion house, in 1993.
But the man who liked life on the road spoke of being ‘uncomfortable’ with his inherited wealth. In he featured in The Sunday Times Sport Rich List, where he was named as the wealthiest sports star in Scotland, with an estimated wealth at the time of £110million. Historic Mount Stuart House, which can be hired as a wedding venue for £24,000, gained global publicity in 2003 when celebrities flocked to the stately home for the wedding of designer Stella McCartney. The Marquess also previously owned Dumfries House in Cumnock, Ayrshire, but it was sold after a consortium headed by his friend Prince Charles bought it for the nation in 2007 for £45million. His first wife was Carolyn Waddell, with whom he had three children – two daughters and a son. He and second wife, former model and fashion designer Serena Bute, have a daughter, model Lady Lola Affrica. Last year Lady Lola shared an image of her and her father, writing: ‘Dada, my hero this year and every year.’ Tributes poured in yesterday. Grand Tour host Jeremy Clarkson wrote on Twitter: ‘Now cancer has got poor old Johnny Bute. So sad.’ And former F1 driver and Sky F1 commentator Martin Brundle added: ‘What the hell is going on, now we’ve lost Johnny Dumfries at 62.
‘Full of life and vigour, always with such style. Wonderful man and a fast driver. Condolences to his family.’ Formula One said in a statement: ‘Johnny Dumfries, 1958-2021. From a van driver for Frank Williams, to being Ayrton Senna’s teammate, and Le Mans glory, his was an extraordinary life characterised by boundless spirit and energy.
‘We send our condolences to his friends and family.’
One fan lamented on Twitter: ‘Only ever raced a single season in F1 but he was still a great driver. ‘RIP Johnny Dumfries.’ Another wrote: ‘Murray Walker just over a week ago, [racing driver] Sabine Schmitz last week and now I’ve just heard that Johnny Dumfries has passed away.’
Born at Mount Stuart, the Marquess attended the Roman Catholic public school Ampleforth, but left at 15 to become a painter and decorator in London.
Later, he landed a job as a mechanic before going on to pursue his career as a driver.
Ever vigorous, at the age of 45 he took up boxing as part of an exhibition match to help launch a friend’s gym.
In 1999, the Marquess sold the island of Great Cumbrae, in the Firth of Clyde, for £1million.
The following year, he sold a rare copy of Audubon’s Birds of America for £5.5million.
The family suffered further tragedy recently. Last year Lady Lola said she had ‘lost all hope’ when her long-term boyfriend took his life and her best friend was found dead from a suspected drug overdose. She has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities helping to treat mental health problems and addiction.
‘Wonderful man and a fast driver’