'True giant': Motorsport world mourns death of British legend

Stirling Moss, a daring, speed-loving Englishman regarded as the greatest Formula One driver never to win the world championship, has died. He was 90.

A national treasure, affectionately known as 'Mr. Motor Racing', he was fearless and fiercely competitive. The balding Moss' taste for adventure saw him push cars to their limits.

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"If you're not trying to win at all costs," he said, "what on earth are you doing there?"

His often reckless attitude took a toll on his slight body. His career ended early, at age 31, after a horrific crash left him in a coma for a month in April 1962.

By then, Moss had won 16 of the 66 F1 races he entered and established a reputation as a technically excellent and versatile driver across many racing categories.

Modern day drivers pay tribute to ‘legend’ Sir Stirling Moss

Formula 1 drivers and teams, past and present, have paid tribute to the legendary driver both on social media and through various interviews.

Reigning F1 champion and fellow Briton, Lewis Hamilton, shared an image of the pair on Instagram, describing their shared love of speed and racing.

“To be honest, it was such a unusual pairing, our friendship,” Hamilton wrote.

“Two people from massively different times and backgrounds but we clicked and ultimately found that the love for racing we both shared made us comrades.

“I am truly grateful to have had these special moments with him. Sending my prayers and thoughts to his family.”

Australian former F1 ace Mark Webber also posted a tribute, as did the McLaren F1 team.

F1 world champion in 1978, Mario Andretti, said Moss was a hero.

“Such a kind man beloved by everyone,” Andretti said.

“He was a true giant in our sport and will be missed forever.”

The immense racing legacy of Sir Stirling Moss

Arguably his greatest achievement was victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia - a 1600km road race through Italy - by nearly half an hour over Juan Manuel Fangio, the Argentine great who was Moss' idol, teammate and rival.

An F1 title didn't follow, though - a travesty to many in motorsport. Moss finished second in the drivers' championship four times (1955-58) and third on three occasions.

In 1958, Moss lost out to Ferrari's Mike Hawthorn by one point despite winning four races to his rival's one. In 1959, Moss' car failed during the final race, in Florida, when leading and again in with a chance of the title.

"I hope I'll continue to be described as the greatest driver who never won the world championship, but it doesn't really matter," Moss once said. "The most important thing for me was gaining the respect of the other drivers and I think I achieved that."

When his resolve to drive solely for English teams waned, Moss raced for Maserati, Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz - partnering Fangio in an all-star line-up. In total, Moss raced in 107 different types of car and boasted a record of 212 wins in the 375 competitive races he finished.

Experimental side of Stirling Moss develops in post-war racing boom

Moss was born in 1929 into a racing family. His father, Alfred, competed in the Indianapolis 500; his mother, Aileen, was English women's champion in 1936. The young Moss learned his trade during a racing boom in England after World War II.

His knowledge of racing cars was second to none and he took his profession to the extreme, experimenting and risking his own safety in the process.

He broke both legs and damaged his spine in a crash in 1960. Even worse was the accident in Goodwood, England, two years later, when he careered into a bank of earth at 160 km per hour without a seatbelt while competing in the Formula One Glover Trophy.

It took 45 minutes to cut him from the wreckage. He suffered brain injuries, and his body's left side was partially paralysed for six months. With his eyesight and reflexes also permanently damaged, Moss quit racing.

"I knew that if I didn't get out, I'd kill myself and maybe somebody else," Moss said.

Moss then became a successful businessman, selling property and designing gadgets out of his state-of-the-art home in central London and working as a consultant to car manufacturers. He received a knighthood in 1999.