An emotional Nigel Mansell paid tribute to John Surtees after the only man to win world championships on both two and four wheels was laid to rest on Tuesday.
Surtees claimed seven world motorcycling titles before making the switch to Formula One and winning the world championship with Ferrari in a remarkable, and in terms of its success, unprecedented career.
He died earlier this month following a short illness, aged 83.
More than 300 mourners, including the 1992 world champion Mansell and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, gathered at Worth Abbey in West Sussex for his funeral.
"John was a consummate professional, a gentleman, an incredible champion on two and four wheels and a gentle, massive giant," Mansell told Press Association Sport before breaking into tears.
"When you spoke to him he was so unassuming you actually forgot he was the champion he was. I found him awesome, but he was a friend. He was an awesome friend."
Surtees' coffin, with his distinctive white and blue helmet resting on top, lay at the centre of the abbey for the one-hour private service.
His widow Jane and daughters, Edwina and Leonora, both of whom delivered wonderful reflections of their world championship-winning father, sat to the left of the coffin.
Surtees won six races and the 1964 title during a grand prix career which spanned more than a decade.
Horner said: "Since my time at Red Bull he became a huge fan of Sebastian Vettel's and quite often I would get an email from him after an event, either with what he was impressed with, or not so impressed with.
"He was just a unique individual and one that will never be replicated with the success he had on four and two wheels."
The final years of Surtees' life were dedicated to the Henry Surtees Foundation which he established in honour of his son, who was killed in a motor racing accident at Brands Hatch in 2009.
Surtees was awarded a CBE last year, but fell short of the knighthood many believe his career, and subsequent charity work, warranted.
Horner added: "I think it was a great shame that it was never formally recognised in a knighthood that he so deserved. But within the industry everyone recognises his achievements as being second to none."
Derek Warwick, the British Racing Drivers' Club president, who was also a race steward at Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix, added: "The guy is a legend and his reputation will go on forever and ever.
"The way he bounced back after Henry's death was really quite special. Someone who can do that is unbelievable.
"A lot of people say to me, 'why did John never have a knighthood?' For me he did. He will always be Sir John and when I speak of him I always called him Sir John, much to his embarrassment I may add. He never got one and that is a shame."
Source: PA
