Legendary driver Stirling Moss honored by F1 champions in celebration of his career

Only a motor racing legend of Sir Stirling Moss's caliber could draw together such an star-studded gathering in London to commemorate his iconic life, four years after his passing at the age of 90.  

Nearly 2,000 people, including former Formula 1 world champions Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill, assembled at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday to pay homage to the revered driver. Among the distinguished racing enthusiasts attending the service, which had been postponed due to the coronavirus, were actor Rowan Atkinson, Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and Grand Tour presenter Richard Hammond. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and former team boss and F1 managing director Ross Brawn were also among the congregation.  

Moss, despite never clinching the coveted F1 world championship, possessed a remarkable talent that set him apart from his peers. His prowess behind the wheel was unparalleled, as he fearlessly raced in a wide array of cars, showcasing his versatility and skill. Notably, his most celebrated triumph came in the 1955 Mille Miglia, a grueling race that demanded endurance and precision. Over the course of more than 1,600 kilometers on treacherous Italian roads, Moss demonstrated his sheer brilliance, maintaining an astounding average speed of 97.96 mph. He completed the race in a staggering 10 hours, seven minutes and 48 seconds.

Moss's illustrious career came to a shattering halt on Easter Monday in 1962. In a harrowing incident at Goodwood, he was involved in a catastrophic crash, hurtling off the track at an alarming speed of 100 mph. The impact was so severe that Moss had to be extricated from the wreckage, with his life hanging in the balance. Despite his indomitable spirit, he faced a daunting road to recovery.

Determined to return to the sport he loved, Moss made valiant efforts to test himself behind the wheel once again. However, the toll of the accident and the subsequent challenges he faced forced him to make the difficult decision to step away from the forefront of competitive racing. At the tender age of 32, he reluctantly called time on his career.

The esteemed Enzo Ferrari, the visionary founder of the illustrious Italian racing empire, proclaimed Moss as the greatest driver in the world. The revered five-time world champion, Juan Manuel Fangio, hailed Moss as the unrivaled talent of their era. 

"There will never be another Stirling Moss," said Stewart at the memorial. "He drove well, he presented himself well, he dressed well and he was just an amazing character. I don't think in the history of the sport there has been somebody so well loved and who has continued to be so well loved."

"It is wonderful for Great Britain to have a Briton that was as famous as this. He will never be forgotten."