Niki Lauda's Comeback at Zolder

Lore & Background

Moss was born in London to amateur racing drivers Alfred and Aileen Moss. His grandfather was Jewish. He was educated at several independent schools and disliked school. He received his first car, an Austin 7, from his father at age nine. Moss used winnings from horse riding competitions to purchase a Cooper 500 in 1948. He made his Formula One debut at the 1951 Swiss Grand Prix with HWM. Moss retired from motor racing in 1962 after an accident at the non-championship Glover Trophy left him in a coma for a month and temporarily paralysed.

Reader's Guide

Moss raced from 1948 to 1962, winning 212 of the 529 races he entered. He achieved 16 wins, 16 pole positions, 19 fastest laps and 24 podium finishes in Formula One. He was a three-time winner of the Monaco Grand Prix, four-time winner of the British Empire Trophy, and five-time winner of the International Gold Cup. He also contested the World Sportscar Championship from 1953 to 1962, winning 12 races. In rallying, Moss finished runner-up at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1952.

Did You Know?

• Moss won the Mille Miglia in 1955 with co-driver Denis Jenkinson, using pace notes communicated via hand signals.
• Moss was the first British driver to win the British Grand Prix, leading a 1–2–3–4 finish for Mercedes in 1955.
• Moss kept the record for most Formula One Grand Prix victories by an English driver until 1991, when Nigel Mansell overtook him.
• Moss was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1961.