Co-founder of Cosworth Keith Duckworth has died at the age of 72. Duckworth who retired in 1988 continued to see Cosworth succeed in many areas in motor sport including taking Michael Schumacher to the top of F1 in 1994 when Schumacher lifted the F1 Crown powered be a Cosworth engine.

THE engine company founded in 1959 by Mike Costin (COS) and Keith Duckworth (WORTH) was backed by the Ford Motor Company. Together with Mike Costin they built a remarkable reputation for building competition engines.

"We are shocked and saddened to learn of our co-founder Keith Duckworth’s untimely death,"

read a statement from Cosworth Racing. "Everyone at Cosworth sends their deepest condolences to Keith’s wife Jill and his children. "Keith was a true innovator and a genuine legend in his lifetime, his name will live on as an integral part of both the Cosworth name and culture."

Duckworth and Costin eventually sold Cosworth to United Engineering Industries. However, the company has changed hands several times since, eventually ending up as part of the Audi and Ford empires, before suffering the companys darkest hour when it was dragged down by the Blue Oval's disappointing involvement with the Jaguar Racing F1 team. Fortunately, Champ Car owners Kevin Kalkhoven and Gerald Forsythe bought the company, and now run Cosworth units in the USA.