Earlier today, the Formula One world lost British legend Sir Stirling Moss. Moss lived a long and successful life before he passed away at the age of 90. To this day, Moss is regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers to never win a world championship. The Briton also found a place in the F1 Hall of Fame in 1990. Moss even received a knighthood from Prince Charles in 2000.

Apparently, Moss suffered from a long-term illness and spent quite a few months in hospital. In December 2016, he went to hospital after complaints of chest infection. Admittedly, he came agonisingly close to a maiden title in 1958, but lost to Mike Hawthorn.

Needless to say, the F1 community was in shock over the tragic loss. Moss even holds a special place in Mercedes‘ hearts since he drove for them in 1955 and finished as the runner-up. In fact, he finished as the runner-up for four years in a row, and finished 3rd in his final three years in Formula One.

Lewis Hamilton is devastated at losing Stirling Moss

Having interacted with the British icon, the loss sorely affected Lewis Hamilton. Especially at a time where the world is reeling in coronavirus pandemic’s effects, losing a driver of Moss’ stature is truly heart-breaking. Hamilton even took to Instagram to express his sorrow over losing the British legend.

He said, “Today we say goodbye to Sir Stirling Moss, the racing legend. I think it’s important that we celebrate his incredible life and the great man he was. Saying goodbye is never easy and can be sad but he will always be here, in our memories and will always be such a huge part of British Motorsports Heritage. I certainly will miss our conversations. To be honest, it was such a unusual pairing, our friendship. 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. May he rest in peace”