Racing legend Sir Stirling Moss finally got the send-off he deserved as famous guests attended a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London.
More than 2,000 people gathered today to celebrate the racing career of Sir Stirling, with the likes of Prince Edward, Jackie Stewart and Christian Horner spotted among the crowd.
Moss’s own iconic cars, including his Mille Miglia-winning Mercedes-Benz, were parked outside Westminster Abbey as a mark of respect to the late motorsport legend.
In April 2020 Sir Stirling died at his home in Mayfair with his wife Lady Susie Moss by his side.
As a service was not possible at the height of the pandemic, Moss’s son, Stirling Elliot Moss, and daughter-in-law, Helen Jane Moss, planned the delayed send-off at Westminster Abbey.
Sir Stirling Moss’ son, Stirling Elliot and F1 driver Jackie Stewart pose with a vintage sports car formerly piloted by Sir Stirling Moss outside Westminster Abbey today
The Duke of Kent, former F1 driver Jackie Stewart, Prince Michael of Kent and the Duke of Richmond take part in the memorial service
The white helmet and ten British Racing Club Gold Stars belonging to the late F1 racing driver Stirling Moss rest on a plinth ahead of the service
Christian Horner attends the service of thanksgiving for Sir Stirling Moss at Westminster Abbey today
A member of the congregation holds an order of service showing picture of the former F1 racing driver Stirling Moss during a service of thanksgiving today
Sir Stirling Moss (pictured in 2013) passed away with Lady Moss at his side in Mayfair after a legendary life in motor racing
Stirling Elliot Moss, said: ‘To be able to do this for my father – a man I admired in just about every way and one whom I still miss very much – is an unimaginable honour.
‘I know that I am not alone in either of those sentiments, so it is fitting that this service will celebrate his life and allow so many of those who feel as I do, to be able to pay their respects and come together to remember the astonishing and inspirational man that he was.’
Speakers at the service included three-time F1 world champion Sir Jackie Stewart and the Duke of Richmond and Gordon Charles Gordon-Lennox.
Speaking of Moss’s legacy, Marcus Breitschwerdt, Executive Vice President of Mercedes-Benz, said: ‘Sir Stirling Moss was one of the greatest racing drivers of all time.
‘As an icon of sportsmanship and dedication, he captivated audiences with thrilling performances on the track and his charismatic personality off it.
‘Mercedes-Benz will always keep the memory of this exceptional racing driver alive.
‘This includes the 300 SLR racing sportscar with starting number 722 from the 1955 Mille Miglia.
‘In this car, Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson won the iconic street race in the best time ever achieved.
‘The legendary vehicle has a permanent place of honour among the Silver Arrows in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.’
More than 2,000 people gathered today to celebrate the racing career of Sir Stirling including Prince Michael and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
A line of people waited to enter Westminster Abbey for the service
Richard Hammond was seen entering Westminster Abbey to remember Sir Stirling
Actor Rowan Atkinson was pictured arriving to Westminster Abbey this morning
The Duke of Kent shakes hands with Elliot Stirling Moss, son of the late F1 driver, as he arrives at the service of thanksgiving for Sir Stirling Moss at Westminster Abbey in London
Former F1 racing driver Damon Hill carries a trophy during the service this morning
Sebastian Bell carries the late F1 driver’s white helmet
Stirling Moss’s white helmet, his ten British Racing Driving Club Gold and his Monaco 1961 trophy are carried down the central Nave during the service
More than 2,000 people were in attendance at Westminster Abbey
Stirling Moss’s prized possessions were carried during the ceremony
The haul included the Monaco 1961 trophy as well as ten British Racing Driving Club medals
Former F1 racing driver Jackie Stewart speaks at Westminster Abbey during today’s service
Speakers at the service included three-time F1 world champion Sir Jackie Stewart
British actor Rowan Atkinson watched the service intently
A member of the congregation holds an order of service showing pictures of the late F1 racing driver
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR 722 was delivered outside Westminster Abbey ahead of the service
A collection of Sir Stirling Moss’s iconic cars parked outside Westminster Abbey
Stirling Elliot Moss with his daughter Stephanie pose beside Sir Stirling Moss’s vintage car
Stirling Elliot Moss, said: ‘To be able to do this for my father – a man I admired in just about every way and one whom I still miss very much – is an unimaginable honour’
Stirling Elliot Moss (pictured with his daughter Stephanie) and Helen Jane Moss, planned the delayed send-off at Westminster Abbey
The Lotus 18 No. 20 and Maserati OSCA are on display outside Westminster Abbey in London before a service of thanksgiving for Sir Stirling Moss
The iconic Mille Miglia-winning Mercedes-Benz is also on display outside the service
Moss’s passing was the result of a chest infection he caught in Singapore just before Christmas 2016 – there is no indication it was due to coronavirus.
Lady Moss said: ‘He simply tired in the end and he just closed his beautiful eyes and that was that.’
‘It was one lap too many,’ she added. ‘He just closed his eyes.’
Lady Moss died just three years later ‘of a broken heart’, her family told the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden.
Moss’s long and successful racing career included landmark wins at the Monaco Grand Prix, the Mille Miglia and the Targia Florio.
His versatility won him 212 of his 529 races and his failure to score a Formula One world championship was owed to his preference for British machinery and acts of conspicuous sportsmanship that denied him the chance.
He would also rather win a race than play the percentages for the sake of the title.
Between 1955 and 1961, he was championship runner-up on four occasions and third three times.
Among Moss’s greatest victories were the 1961 Monaco Grand Prix, in which he triumphed in his Lotus against the faster Ferraris, and the 1955 Mille Miglia – where he set a new course record in the famous 1,000-mile race around Italy.
A crash at Goodwood in 1962 effectively forced Moss to retire as it left him in a coma for a month and partially paralysed for six months.
Stirling Moss and Susie Moss attend the Cartier Style & Luxury Lunch Reception in 2012
Sir Stirling and wife Susie are pictured together at the Chopard Watch launch event in Vienna in 2012
Moss’s wife Susie paid a very touching tribute: ‘He died as he lived, looking wonderful’
Moss’s 1961 Monaco victory is the Formula One victory he considers the finest of his career
Moss’s style and skill earned him the acclaim as the greatest all-round racer ever
Moss on his way to winning the Italian Mille Miglia Race in 1955 – his most famous ever drive
Once described as ‘the greatest driver never to win the Formula One’, Sir Stirling closed his eyes in the early hours of Easter morning in 2020.
Lady Moss was at his bedside as he died, having nursed him through a long illness, at their central London house.
She told the Daily Mail: ‘He died as he lived, looking wonderful.’
