The Marquess of Bute, also known as Formula 1 driver Johnny Dumfries and who had one season in Formula 1 alongside Ayrton Senna at Team Lotus, has died at 62 after a short illness.

The Scotsman, whose full name was John Colum Crichton-Stuart and was 7th Marquess of Bute, was born into one of Scotland's most well known aristocratic families but left behind a life of private education at Ampleforth College to pursue his dream of a career as a Formula 1 driver.

In 1984 Dumfries came onto the junior racing radar as one of his generation's brightest talents after winning ten out of that year's seventeen British Formula 3 races to take the championship ahead of fellow future Grand Prix driver Allen Berg and future touring car star Paul Radisich.

Dumfries moved up to F3000 for 1985 but had a dismal season which saw him score only a single point at Vallelunga.

After leaving his role as Ferrari's test driver, Ayrton Senna chose the Scotsman to partner him at Lotus for the 1986 Formula 1 season after the Brazilian had vetoed the signing of ex-Renault star Derek Warwick.

It would be a baptism of fire for Dumfries. The Scotsman only scored two points finishes all season in contrast to Senna's two race victories, with the Scot achieving a best result of fifth in the inaugural Hungarian Grand Prix.

After being dropped by the team in favour of Japan's Satoru Nakajima, Dumfries continued his involvement in Formula 1 with a spell as a test driver for the Benetton team in the late 80s.

However, luck finally paid Dumfries a visit in 1988 as he paired up with Dutchman Jan Lammers and Brit Andy Wallace to win Le Mans for the iconic Silk Cut Jaguar team in what was the manufacturer's first win at Le Mans for over thirty-one years.

He would make his last appearance at Le Mans in 1991 for Courage before taking on the role as Marquess of Bute after the death of his father in 1993.

In a statement made by his family, Dumfries was described as a devoted husband and father who was loved by all.

“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 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."

His wife and four children survive Dumfries.