DHAKA: Three-time F1 world champion Sir Jack Brabham - who won the title in a car he built himself - has died aged 88.

The Australian driver, who was knighted in 1979, won the championship in 1959, 1960 and 1966.

His son David confirmed that he had died at his home on Australian's Gold Coast after a long battle with liver disease.

"He lived an incredible life, achieving more than anyone would ever dream of," David Brabham said.

Sir Jack began racing in Australia in 1948 after serving in the Royal Australian Air Force as a mechanic.

After a number of successful years racing in New Zealand and Australia, he came to the UK and made his Grand Prix debut in 1955.

His Grand Prix wins ranged from his first in Monaco in 1959 to his last in South Africa in 1970, the year he retired from the sport.

His world championship win in 1966 was achieved in a car of his own construction, the rear-engined BT19.

He remains the only man in history to have designed, built and driven a championship-winning car, reports the BBC.

BDST: 0856 HRS, MAY 19, 2014