Former F1 driver Johnny Dumfries passes away at 62

Johnny Dumfries who raced for Lotus during the 1986 F1 season and won the 1988 Le Mans 24 Hours has passed away at 62 following a short illness.

Born John Crichton-Stuart into one of Scotland's oldest aristocratic families, he embarked on a career in racing under the lo-profile surname Dumfries, but later in life preferred to be simply known as John Bute after his ascension to Marquessate.

A dominant season in British F3 in 1984 saw Bute step up to the newly created FIA International Formula 3000 Championship. Despite a disappointing campaign, the Scot filled the second seat at Team Lotus alongside Ayrton Senna in 1986, competing in 15 Grands prix and scoring 3 points.

He departed the grid at the end of the season but continued his motorsport career in sportscar racing, joining the TWR Jaguar team and winning Le Mans with the British outfit in 1988 alongside Jan Lammers and Andy Wallace.

Bute made his final appearance at Le Mans with Courage in 1991, before he retired from the sport and taking over the management of his family's estate Mont Stuart on the Isle of Bute in Scotland after his father's death in 1993.

"The indomitable spirit and energy which Johnny brought to his life will be greatly missed, and the immense warmth and love with which he embraced his family," his family said in a statement.

"His heart was firmly rooted on the Island of Bute where he spent much of his time. Johnny chaired the Board of Mount Stuart Trust from its active inauguration in 2005 when Mount Stuart and its gardens opened to the public, and its rural estate was vested into the charitable trust.

"He was a moderniser and an inspirational thinker, transitioning a family home to a progressive, working visitor facility and estate."

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