Jack Brabham has died

Three-time Formula One champion driver Sir Jack Brabham has died, according to reports.

The Australian Grand Prix confirmed to AAP that Brabham, 88, had died.

The organisation will release an official statement shortly.

Motor sport writer Peter McKay tweeted the news early on Monday.

"Saddened to say I've just heard that the mighty Sir Jack Brabham passed away this morning at six o'clock," he wrote on the social media site

Before starting his motorsport career Brabham was a mechanic with the Royal Australian Air Force.

He started racing on speedway dirt tracks in the late 1940s before moving to the UK, where he joined the Cooper Racing Team.

He won his first Formula One title with the team in 1959 and followed it up with another win in 1960.

Brabham made history in 1966 when he became the only person to win a Formula One drivers championship in a car he designed and built himself, a feat which is unlikely to be repeated.

Acclaimed as a brilliant engineer, technological innovations brought about by the Brabham team helped to shape the sport.

Through his partnership with Ron Tauranac, more than 500 Brabham racecars were built from the team's British Surrey base in the 1960s alone, while the Brabham name continued in Formula One for 30 years.

After retiring in 1970, Brabham became the first motorsport identity to be knighted.

In his final years, he battled failing eyesight, problems with his kidneys and liver disease.

The racing legend is survived by his second wife Lady Margaret and sons Geoff, Gary and David from his first marriage.

The sporting great made his last public appearance on the Sunshine Coast on yesterday.

He was at the head office of Aeromil Pacific at the local airport to be reunited with the 1967 BT23 race car he designed and built, the Sunshine Coast Daily reported.

The car, which was bought by company managing director Steve Padgett, was used in the 1967 Formula 2 races in Europe.

David Brabham tweeted: "Thanks for all the kind messages about my fathers peaceful passing, it is appreciated by the whole family."