Sad news: F1 legend Stirling Moss passed away

F1 News

12 April 2020 at 11:02
Last update 12 April 2020 at 12:21
  • GPblog.com

As one of the most iconic figures in the history of the sport, Sir Stirling Moss died in the early hours of Easter morning.

Sir Stirling was widely known as 'the greatest driver who never won the world championship'. He was runner-up four times between 1955 and 1961. He was nursed by Lady Moss during a period of long illness. Lady Moss said to the Daily Mail: "He died as he lived, looking wonderful. He simply tired in the end and he just closed his beautiful eyes and that was that."

A true professional

Moss drove between 1951 and 1961 for, among others, Maserati, Lotus and Mercedes. In total he won a Grand Prix 16 times. A record, because he won the most Grands Prix without winning a title. He didn't come any further than second place, but he did manage to win second place four times.

Sir Stirling Moss was a professional at heart. This also cost him a championship. During the Grand Prix of Portugal in 1958 his rival Mike Hawthorn was disqualified, because according to the race management he had raced against the direction. Moss won the race, but went against the race direction, so Hawthorn got his second place back.

That year Moss lost the world championship to Hawthorn in one point. But Moss said he didn't hesitate for a moment to go against the race direction.