‘Greatest to have never won it’ - World mourns death of British racing legend Sir Stirling Moss

Former English Formula One driver Stirling Moss waves to spectators as he sits in his 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza during the Ennstal Classic rally near the Austrian village of Groebming in this July 20, 2013 file photo. [REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo]

Sir Stirling Moss, recognised as one of the greatest drivers never to have won the Formula One title has died at the age of 90 following battle with a long illness.

Moss, retired from top-level competition after a crash in 1962.

He won an astonishing 16 races out of the 66 Formula One races he participated in and was runner up four times in the championship.

He was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1961 and was declared a knight (knighted) in the year 2000.

Of the 529 races he entered during his career, he came out victorious in 212.

Former Formula One world champion Stirling Moss of Britain sits in a Maserati replica Formula One car during the Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park race track in Melbourne in this April 2, 2006 file photo. [REUTERS/Mark Horsburgh/Files/File Photo]

His wife, Lady Moss, described his last moments following 134 days of admission into hospital due to a chest infection while on vacation in Singapore.

"It was one lap too many, he just closed his eyes," said Lady Moss.

The motorsport fraternity took to social media to send their respects to Moss.

Lewis Hamilton: “Today we say goodbye to Sir Stirling Moss, the racing legend. I certainly will miss our conversations. 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. I think it’s important that we celebrate his incredible life and the great man he was. To be honest, it was such an 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.”

Today we say goodbye to Sir Stirling Moss, the racing legend. I certainly will miss our conversations. 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???????? pic.twitter.com/SDUAqxENHk — Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) April 12, 2020

Martin Brundle: “RIP Sir Stirling Moss. A mighty racer and gentleman. Remarkable man. Survived the most dangerous era of motorsport and died today aged 90. He had such great stories to tell, and it was a privilege to know him. “He was the reason so many of us became racing drivers. Incredibly sad day, but what an amazing.”

RIP Sir Stirling Moss. A mighty racer and gentleman. He had a press on style on the track and in life. Remarkable man. Survived the most dangerous era of motorsport and died today aged 90. He had such great stories to tell, and it was a privilege to know him. ???? — Martin Brundle (@MBrundleF1) April 12, 2020

Jean Todt FIA president: “Very sad day. Stirling Moss left us after a long fight. He was a true legend in motorsport and he will remain so forever.”

Very sad day. Stirling Moss left us after a long fight. He was a true legend in motor sport and he will remain so forever. My thoughts go out to his wife Suzie, his family, his friends #Stirling #F1 pic.twitter.com/6nRz0irtrl — Jean Todt (@JeanTodt) April 12, 2020

RIP Sir Stirling Moss, 90.
Fantastic driver - a ‘racer’s racer’ - & a dashing, debonair character.
His wife Lady Moss told the Daily Mail: 'He died as he lived, looking wonderful.’ pic.twitter.com/YwOieyNtLn — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 12, 2020

Very few people see their names enter the language. He was one. “Who do you think you are? Stirling Moss?” There’s fame for you.
RIP Sir Stirling Moss who died this Easter morning, aged 90.
https://t.co/gwkHvd6N6a — Gyles Brandreth (@GylesB1) April 12, 2020