Dan Gurney has died aged 86

Dan Gurney, iconic Formula 1 driver who also enjoyed success in the US, has died at the age of 86.

The American, a race winner in F1, IndyCar, NASCAR and Le Mans 24 Hours, was part of the iconic 1960s generation of drivers including the likes of Sir Jackie Stewart and Jim Clark. His death was announced by wife Evi surrounded by his family in California on Sunday.

Gurney claimed four F1 race wins, including Porsche’s first in the sport, having also driven for Ferrari, BRM, Lotus, Brabham and McLaren across his 86 race starts. Gurney helped set up the Anglo American Racers team in F1 and after his driving career he took control of the All American Racers squad – a role he held until 2011.

Outside of F1, Gurney became the famous founding father of the spraying champagne as a celebration of winning the 1967 Le Mans 24 Hours alongside AJ Foyt when the pair teamed up to race for Ford. The American driver continued to demonstrate his immense talents with continued success in NASCAR and single seater racing in the US across the 1960s before retiring from driving in 1970.

Gurney is survived by his wife Evi and their four sons Justin, Alex, Dan Jr and Jimmy.