John Surtees recognised on Queen's New Year Honours list

The New Year Honours list was announced over Christmas, and while most of the fanfare centred around jockeys and Carry On actresses, one rather important name slipped below the radar a bit. That's the name of racing legend John Surtees, who has received a CBE.

Surtees - so far the only person in history to win world titles in both two and four-wheeled disciplines - has been recognised for services to motorsport, most recently centring on work with the Henry Surtees Foundation.

The charity - which aims to “assist people with brain or physical injuries” - was founded in memory of Surtees’ son, who tragically lost his life aged 18 following fatal head trauma during an F2 race at Brands Hatch in 2009.

The new honour means Surtees has now collected all three Orders of the British Empire, having been made an MBE in 1959 and an OBE in 2008.

The 81-year-old reportedly said: “It is recognition, as far as I am concerned, not only for myself but for the world of two and four wheeled sport and the teams I have worked with.”

Surtees won four motorcycle world championships in the 500cc class and two in the 350cc category, before switching to Formula One in 1960.

He went on to claim his sole F1 title in his fifth season, beating fellow British drivers Graham Hill and Jim Clark to the championship driving for Ferrari in 1964.

Surtees also raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on four occasions, finishing on the podium in the same year as his F1 triumph, 12 laps shy of overall victory.

Given that he is now the oldest surviving Formula One and Moto GP world champion, perhaps it will soon be time for the Queen to go one step further: Sir Surtees, anyone?