Ferrari F1 legend dies after pneumonia battle

A RACING legend who won races in F1 Indy`Car and Nascar has died from pneumonia complications, his family has confirmed.

By Jamie Micklethwaite /

“With one last smile on his handsome face, Dan drove off into the unknown”

Family statement

Dan Gurney won in nearly every racing series he attempted and is credited for starting the tradition of spraying champagne on the winner’s podium.

He began racing in 1955 for Ferrari and Porsche in F1 before forming his own team and winning the Belgian grand Prix in his own car.

A statement from his family confirmed: “Dan passed away due to complications from pneumonia.

Dan Gurney was pronounced dead by his family GETTY

RIP: Dan Gurney was pronounced dead by his family

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    “With one last smile on his handsome face, Dan drove off into the unknown just before noon today, January 14, 2018.”

    “In deepest sorrow, with gratitude in our heats for the love and joy you have given us during your time on this earth, we say ‘Godspeed’.”

    He retired from racing in 1970 with 51 race wins before dying at the age of 86.

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      Gurney ended his career at McLaren in 1970, stepping in after the death of the team’s founder Bruce McLaren for three races.

      When commenting on champagne, his wife Evi said: “Dan’s naughty nature took over and he used the bottle like a firehose on everybody out of sheer exuberance, a relief for finally having won the race after 10 tries.

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        “Thousands have done it since, exactly the way he did.”

        Despite not winning a championship, Gurney remains the second most successful US Formula One driver in terms of race wins after 1978 champion Mario Andretti.