On Wednesday, the racing community gathered to pay tribute to a legendary driver who sadly passed away in April 2020 at the age of 90. This event, which saw the attendance of approximately 2,000 guests, could not have taken place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Triple Formula 1 world champion Jackie Stewart expressed his admiration for the driver, who is widely considered to be the greatest never to have won a title. Stewart, now 84, praised the driver’s skills on the track as well as his impeccable presentation and style. He described him as an extraordinary individual who was loved by all throughout the history of the sport.
Among the attendees were notable figures such as Juan Manuel Fangio’s son, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Lewis Hamilton’s father Anthony, Ross Brawn, and Christian Horner. The Mercedes car that Moss drove to victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia was proudly displayed outside the abbey.
During the service, Stewart shared a personal anecdote about his encounter with Moss as a young boy. He proudly displayed an autograph he had obtained from the racing legend. Stewart also recounted a humorous incident when he was pulled over for speeding by a London police officer, who jokingly asked if he thought he was Stirling Moss. At that time, Stewart had just won the world championship.
Moss’s son Elliot read a heartfelt letter written by his father. In the letter, Moss reflected on the sacrifices he had made throughout his professional racing career, which came to an end in 1962 after a severe accident. Despite the challenges he faced, Moss had no regrets and encouraged others to be prepared to pay the price for their ambitions.
The event was a fitting tribute to a remarkable driver whose legacy will forever be remembered in the world of motorsport. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin)