Stirling Moss RIP

Sir Stirling Moss, one of the most iconic names from British motor racing, has died at the age of 90 after a long illness.

Moss won 16 of the 66 Formula one (F1) races he competed in from 1951 to 1961 and became the first British driver to win a home grand prix in 1955 at Aintree.

A true gentleman, Moss famously lost out on the Formula one world title in 1958 to compatriot Mike Hawthorn after vouching for his rival and preventing him being disqualified when he was accused of reversing on track in the late-season Portuguese Grand Prix.

Four times a runner-up in the F1 drivers' championship, he was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1961 and was knighted in 2000. His moter racing career was not limited to F1, Moss was regarded as a motor racing all-rounder and racked up a total of 212 victories in all categories. He was also an outstanding rally driver and in 1955 set a new course record in winning the famous Mille Miglia, a 1,000-mile race around Italy.

For many years both during and after his racing career, the rhetorical expression "Who do you think you are, Stirling Moss?" was supposedly the standard question British policemen asked speeding motorists. Moss said that he himself was once stopped for speeding and asked just that. He added that the traffic officer had some difficulty believing him.

Rest in Peace.

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