Born in Scotland and raised by a loving family, Jackie Stewart overcame severe reading difficulties and modest roots by embarking on a life that made the most of his extraordinary eyesight, reflexes and nerve to deliver three Formula One drivers' world championship crowns on the track, an unrivalled reputation as a campaigner for safety and common-sense off it and a family brand name that made him as successful in business as in sport when his racing career came to an end.
A contemporary of many friends who died in their cockpits, a fastidious perfectionist, a man who loves life and lives it with warmth, affection and generosity, he had a single-minded determination to overcome all the obstacles laid in his path as he built not only a distinguished career in Grand Prix motor racing, as a driver, but also as an ambassador for many blue-chip businesses that are household names before launching into the creation of his own Grand Prix team, Stewart, later to be sold to Ford.