Sir Jack Brabham, who was Formula 1 champion three times and who founded the Brabham team from a garage in Hook, Chessington, has died aged 88.

The Australian, who died in Sydney, won the championship in 1969, 60 and 66. He was the only driver ever to win a championship in a car he had constructed.

He ran a garage on the Hook Road at the junction with Somerset Avenue, selling petrol from the front and tuning up his cars from the back. The garage had visits from celebrities including Norman Wisdom who posed with Jack for the cameras.

His team Motor Racing Developments, later renamed Brabham, had an office in Victoria Road, Surbiton.

The team also worked closely with the Cooper team, who had a garage at the corner of Ewell Road and Hollyfield Road.

David Tippett-Wilson said many Chessington locals had met Mr Brabham when they went to the garage to get petrol. Celebrities like Sir Michael Aspel also used to call in.

Mr Tippett-Wilson said: "I met him at the garage. He was quite a tall man. He was very chatty and very nice. He was a likeable character."

Jack also lived in Ewell Road at one point near the Coopers garage with their landlady Mrs Stott.

The team later moved to the Weylock Works, by a canal close to New Haw, near Weybridge.

He was awarded an OBE in 1967, followed by a knighthood in 1979.

Jack's youngest son David said: "It's a very sad day for all of us. My father passed away peacefully at home at the age of 88 this morning.

"He lived an incredible life, achieving more than anyone would ever dream of and he will continue to live on through the astounding legacy he leaves behind."

He is survived by his wife, Lady Margaret, sons Geoff, Gary and David and their families.