Jack Brabham was the only driver to win the Formula One World Championship driving a car of his own construction. He achieved this feat in 1966 with the Repco-Brabham BT19, becoming World Drivers’ Champion for the third time.
Brabham had co-founded the Brabham team with engineer Ron Tauranac in 1960. The championship-winning BT19 chassis was designed by Tauranac, while its Repco V8 engine adapted an Oldsmobile-based unit for the new three-litre regulations. Brabham’s practical engineering background helped make the car reliable and competitive.
The wording can cause confusion because Bruce McLaren and Dan Gurney also won Formula One races in cars carrying their own marques. Neither won the World Championship in those cars. Brabham is unique because he combined the roles of driver, team owner and constructor in a championship-winning season.