After his passing last year, the motorsport community all agreed on one particular sentiment; he was one of the all time greats.

Not all racers get the opportunity to leave racing on their own terms. Moss is one of those who certainly could have won a championship if he was able to continue for a few more years, but after very nearly losing his life in a serious accident, he realized his time was up. He woke from a coma after more than a month, after bouncing back from several other serious accidents, this time it was a bridge too far. It proved to be a wise decision in an era when racing was at its most dangerous, cars were more powerful than their brakes, tires, and chassis could handle and many of his compatriots lost their lives to the sport. He was one of the lucky ones and went on to live a full, colorful life.

10 Born In 1929

Moss (motorsportmagazine)
via motorsportmagazine

Moss was born into a family that loved racing, both his father and mother raced cars at some point in their lives. His father competed in the Indy 500 twice while studying in America, and his mother entered several rallies in the 30s.

Stirling Moss 1953 Cooper-Alta T23
via Pinterest

It is fair to say he had racing in his blood, and quickly fell in love with the sport as a child, receiving an old car he would race around the family farm as a gift.

9 212 Race Wins Across All Formats

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Via: Daimler Media

After entering his first race as an 18-year-old, which was rare for the time, he went on to rack up an impressive 212 race wins.

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Via: Daimler Media

Although his career was fairly short when you compare it to some of the other greats, it was not short of action. He was the quintessential playboy racing driver and won the hearts of fans with his antics both on and off the racetrack.

Related: These Are The Things We Just Learned About F1’s Kimi Raikkonen

8 Land Speed Record

MG EX 181
Silodrome

In 1957, he went to the Utah salt flats and set a Class F speed record. He clocked in at 245 mph, beating the previous record by 40 mph in his MG.

Stirling Moss Featured Image
via The Guardian

It was a short-lived record, though, with MG going back just two years later with another top level driver who set a better time.

7 Well Paid

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Via: Daimler Media

In a time when most of the racers came from very wealthy families and paid their way into the sport, Moss was one of the few that got wealthy through the sport, although his certainly isn’t a rags-to-riches story.

Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart Goodwood
via Goodwood

He became one of the sports’ true superstars thanks to his ability on track and his charm off it. He also cashed in on his fame and was never shy to admit it after his racing days, making several paid appearances.

Related: These Are The 15 Highest Paid F1 Drivers

6 16 GP Wins

Moss (collierautoedia)
via collierautomedia

In 1955, he realized his dream and joined his idol Juan Manuel Fangio, arguably the greatest driver of all time, at Mercedes-Benz.

Stirling Moss 1955 British Grand Prix
via The Guardian

At the time, it was a controversial move, with WWII fresh in everyone's memories. It was quickly swept aside when he won his first race, his home race; the British Grand Prix.

5 Won Races For The Germans

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Via: Daimler Media

His first GP win wasn’t his only achievement in 1955, he also won a TT event in Ireland and the Targa Florio.

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VIa: Daimler Media

His most memorable achievement for the German team was winning the Mille Miglia by more than 30 minutes. He was the first Brit to win the race, and the time he and his co-driver set has never been beaten, with an average speed of close to 160 mph over the 1000 miles.

Related: Formula One: Let's Talk About Mercedes' Penalties At Sochi

4 Greatest Driver To Never Win A Championship

Stirling Moss 1954 British Grand Prix
via Pixels

Many put his name alongside drivers like Fangio, Senna, and more recently Hamilton as the greatest driver. It is easy to say he is the greatest driver to never win a championship, because so many have won championships that were not half the driver he was.

1961 Monaco Grand Prix Stirling Moss
via ESPN

If Mercedes-Benz didn’t pull out of the sport, he could have easily won many championships with them, but after they left the sport he went to Maserati for a year then stuck with the less fancied British teams and still came ever so close.

3 Chose Integrity Over A Championship

Via hemmings.com

1958 was easily the closest he came to winning a championship, although he came second several times he had a chance to take key points away from a rival if he chose to simply stay silent.

Hawthorn and Moss
Pinterest

With the cutthroat nature of motorsport today, drivers (and motorcycle riders) have quite literally attempted to take their rivals out of races. Mike Hawthorn would have been disqualified from a race had Moss not come to his defense, Hawthorn ended with 42 points, a solitary point clear of Moss on 41.

Related: Here's Everything You Need To Know About Drive To Survive

2 Career Ending Accident

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via Motorsport Magazine

After enduring several serious accidents, it is not unreasonable to suggest he was lucky to get this far.

Moss recovery
The New York Times

He is a driver that took the car, its tires, and himself to the limit every time he raced, and sometimes one of the three would fail. His accident in 1961 would be his last though, after spending 38 days in a coma, he rightly called it a day. His exploits will still live long in the memories of fans across the world, champion or not.

1 Knighted In 2000

Moss
Motor Sport Magazine

In 2000 his sporting efforts for the UK were officially recognized when he received his Knighthood.

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Via: Daimler Media

It was a fitting way to enter his retirement, and he would continue to make guest appearances until 2018 when his health deteriorated, eventually passing away two years later at the age of 90.