Stirling Moss is known as the greatest driver never to have won the world title. However, many would also class him as the best British driver to have ever competed in the premier class of motor racing; this was definitely the opinion of British commentator, Murray Walker, who stated that, “As far as I’m concerned he’s not only the greatest British racing driver ever, he’s also the most versatile racing driver of all time.”
Born in London on the 17th September, 1929, Moss was soon establishing himself as a name on the professional racing scene, making his debut aged just 19. He was arguably the most versatile racer to have ever competed in F1, but also able to compete highly in; F3, Saloon’s, GT’s and Rallying.
His F1 debut was in 1951, for the BRM team with pretty average results, one race, qualified 14th, and finished 8th. 1952 saw another uninspiring year where Moss didn’t even finish a race. The following year he actually scored his first point, at the German Grand Prix, finishing sixth, albeit that was his only point of the year.
However, the year Moss came into the spotlight was 1954. A move to Maserati saw him take his first ever podium, at the Belgian Grand Prix. Undeniably, at this time though the best team in the Championship was Mercedes, who had Juan Manuel Fangio on their books, for the 1955 season, Mercedes signed Moss to partner the great Argentinian. What followed was three years of racing where Fangio managed to beat the Brit into second place each year. However, Moss took some famous victories over this period, including the British Grand Prix in 1955.
For the next year though, Mercedes left the sport, leaving Moss (and Fangio) without a team. Fangio moved to Ferrari and Moss back to Maserati. The Brit won two races but finished three points behind the great Argentinian. 1957 saw him leave the Italian team to join the British outfit Vanwall, again winning two races and finishing second. Fangio had retired leaving Moss to fight against fellow countryman, Mike Hawthorn. The Championship was tightly contested and ended with Moss again the bridesmaid, losing the championship by just one point.
The next three years saw Moss again competitive but finish third each year. His world was turned upside down when he crashed heavily at Goodwood and entered a coma and temporary paralysis to part of the left hand side of his body. It was then that he decided to retire, having finished second in the title four times and third three times.
In this writer’s opinion it is unquestionable that Sir Stirling Moss is the greatest driver never to have won the title, and is definitely up there for being the greatest British driver ever.
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Jimmy Daywalt JeanDenis Deletraz Patrick Depailler Pedro Diniz Duke Dinsmore
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