The Greatest Formula One Drivers of All Time, Ranked

Sir Jack Brabham was more than a racer—he was an engineer of destiny. Born in Hurstville, Australia, in 1926, he debuted in 1955 and became the first (and still only) driver to win a World Championship (1966) in a car bearing his name.

Brabham’s three titles (1959, 1960, 1966) and 14 wins came when innovation mattered as much as instinct. He championed rear-engine designs early on and helped push technical standards across the sport. Known for his quiet determination and mechanical insight, Brabham turned wrenches and wheels, forever changing how F1 drivers shaped their success.