Sir Stirling Moss Passes Away Aged 90

The Motor Racing and sporting communities joined in mourning as the death of Sir Stirling Moss was announced on the 12th April 2020, aged 90. Moss, a 16 time Formula 1 race winner, was one of Britain’s first stars of F1, finishing runner up in the championship four times in a row – more than any driver who didn’t subsequently win a world title. He passed away after ongoing health conditions, resulting from a chest infection he had been battling since a visit to Singapore in December 2016.

Born Stirling Craufurd Moss on 17th September 1929 in London, he was widely regarded throughout the industry and the wider world as one of the best racing drivers of his generation. In all categories of motorsport, he would win 212 of the 529 races he entered.

Finishing 2nd in the Formula One World Championship from 1955 to 1958, and 3rd from 1959 to 1961, Sir Stirling is frequently regarded as “the greatest driver never to win the World Championship”.

Along with being the first driver to win a world championship race in a rear-engined F1 car (Cooper T43), Moss will be remembered outside of F1 for winning the Mille Miglia, 12 Hours of Reims and Sebring, and twice finishing runner-up in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1953 and 1956.

Despite officially retiring in 1962 following a life-threatening crash at the Goodwood Motor Circuit (of which left him in a month-long coma and with partial paralysis on his left side for nearly 6 months), Moss continued to make appearances in racing throughout the next two decades including an appearance at the 1976 Bathurst 1000 and two seasons in the British Saloon Car Championship (now British Touring Car Championship) in 1980 and 1981.

Moss was knighted by Prince Charles in 2000, ten years after being inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. He would go on to be awarded the FIA Gold Medal for his contributions in 2006.

Outside of competition, Moss was a commentator for American broadcastor ABC on Formula 1 and NASCAR until 1980, becoming a popular TV figure over the years.

His wife Susie commented; “He died as he lived, looking wonderful.”

Sir Stirling Moss will be fondly remembered amongst the motorsport community and the Motorsport Media team wish his family and friends our condolences at this time.

This article features contributions by Connor Jackson and Dan Marr.