The FIA family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Björn Waldegård and extends its sincerest condolences to his wife Anita and children Marika, Charlotte and Mathias.

“Björn was a really admired and strong competitor, loyal and straight-forward,” said President Jean Todt. “He was a rally legend who has left us so quickly and our sport has lost a big hero. I know I am joined by many people around the world in sending my deepest condolences to his family.”

Björn, the FIA’s first World Rally Champion in 1979, was a legendary rally driver whose career began in 1962. After winning the Swedish Rally Championship in 1967 and 1968, he impressed the rally community when he claimed his first international victory at the famed Rallye Monte Carlo in a Porsche 911S in 1969. In a career that spanned five decades, Björn took 16 world rally victories, four in his beloved Africa on the famous Safari Rally.

Björn was a gentleman, an honourable and respected competitor, a true ambassador for our sport and friend to many in the rally world.  Our thoughts, and those of the wider motor sport community, are with his family and many friends around the world.