John Surtees’ death was described as a “hammer blow for British motorsport”, as tributes poured in for the only man to win world championships on two and four wheels. The 1964 Formula One world champion was admitted to St George’s Hospital in Wandsworth, southwest London, last month with an existing respiratory condition. His family said that Surtees died yesterday afternoon at the age of 83 after a short period in intensive care. “He is undoubtedly one of the greatest people who has ever lived in the history of motorsport,” Murray Walker, the 93-year-old Formula One commentator, said. “His death is hammer blow for me and for British motorsport.”Surtees switched from two wheels to four when he was 26 PADamon Hill, the 1996 Formula One…

Source: The Times March 10, 2017 17:01 UTC