Sir Stirling Moss dies at the age of 90

2020 F1 season

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Sir Stirling Moss, Britain’s motor racing hero of the fifties and sixties, has died at the age of 90.

Moss’s exploits across a wide range of motor sports made him the most famous driver of his age. He finished runner-up in the world championship in four consecutive seasons, but his versatility at the wheel and remarkable win rate meant he was widely held to be one of the foremost talents of his time.

His victories included some of the most gruelling road races of the time, such as Italy thousand-mile Mille Miglia road race and the Targa Florio.

A heavy crash during the Glover Trophy race at Goodwood in 1962 cut Moss’s racing career short. At that point he had won 16 world championship races – more than any other driver at the time.

In 2010 Moss survived a three-story fall down a lift shaft at his home in London. Having been a regular at historic motor racing events, soon afterwards he announced he was hanging up his helmet for good. In 2018, following an illness, Moss decided to withdraw from public life.

This article will be updated.

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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24 comments on “Sir Stirling Moss dies at the age of 90”

  1. Such sad news. RIP Stirling.

  2. I know we all die one day but legends never die.

  3. Sad news in a time where anything else is in short supply.

    His gentleman and sportsman behaviour in standing up in defence of his title challenger, Mike Hawthorne has to be one of the sports greatest acts, and adds so much to his legend. Its something I doubt many would contemplate doing in this day and age, let alone actually doing.

    Sadly he is more known as the greatest driver to have never won the WDC, and he deserved more than to be remembered as such. An amazing human being who was a top sportsman.

    RIP Sir Stirling.

    1. Agree, they don’t make them like that anymore. RIP Sir Stirling, you were truly an inspiration.

  4. From a distance, Saint Peter sees a man careering towards him in a 1950’s racing car – sideways and grinning. Stopping perfectly in front of the gates with smoking brakes, St Peter asks,”Who do you think you are? Stirling Moss?”.
    “Sir Stirling Moss actually dear chap.” comes the reply.

    1. perfect tribute

      1. +1

        Ferocious racer, consummate sportsman and cultural legend. That’s the Triple Crown right there.

    2. + 1

      A true gentleman, a legend. R.I.P Sir Stirling Moss.

  5. Legend

  6. Sad news indeed and being from that generation of racers it’s amazing he saw 90.

  7. I remember watching that tragic crash at Goodwood Easter Monday meet on B&W tv and felt so sad that one of my heroes was injured and never to return to his great talent. Much respect for this brave racer, RIP Sir Stirling.

  8. He had a good innings, Moss drove hard and played hard but always remained a gentleman.

  9. Such a sad news in this sad period. A top guy, he will be sorely missed but most important he will be remembered for his bravery,skills and most important his sportsmanship.
    Finishing the 1597 km of the 1955 Mille Miglia in 10 hours, 7 minutes, 48 seconds in a Mercedes 300 SLR and standing in defense of his title rival (as mentioned above by S.J.M) are achievements that won’t be equaled again in motorsport.
    “Straights are those boring stretches that join two curves”
    RIP legend.

  10. R.I.P. For whatever reason it made me think of the time when Fangio died…

  11. R.I.P. A champion in my book.

  12. Yes, moss was great, I remember some years ago he was 87 and considering he came from fangio’s era it’s impressive he was still around nowadays.

    It’s a shame to eventually lose every old figure of the sport left, but at least we can’t really say his life was cut short by an accident or anything, at 90 he lived it fully and just because of age, you can just expect stuff at that point.

  13. It’s not often I agree with tagging people as legends but people like Moss stand out like a beacon. A true gentleman who loved motorsport, possibly one of the most complete drivers to have lived. I’m sad for his family and friends but few of us will get to live such an amazing life as he did and I’m sure he’s proud of what he accomplished.

  14. creighton demarest
    13th April 2020, 0:53

    I bet Jenks was waiting for Sterling with an SLR all warmed up for a spirited drive. 👍👍

  15. Wow, another victim of Coronavirus

    1. I have an opinion
      13th April 2020, 4:00

      Do you have a source for this? Or are you trying to start a rumour?

  16. One of the greats and a properly nice bloke to boot which makes him a favorite in my book. RIP.

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