Living legend Sir Stirling Moss reaches 90!

40

Sir Stirling Moss, one of motorsport's all-time greats, commonly described as "the greatest driver never to win the World Championship", rings in his 90th birthday today.

Sir Stirling's scintillating career includes 16 Grands Prix wins achieved between 1955 and 1961 Mercedes-Benz, Maserati, Vanwall and Rob Walker's team.

Moss was runner-up in the world drivers' championship for four years in a row from 1955 until 1958, and finished third in 1959, 1960 and 1961.

Britain's living legend remained young-at-heart until the end of 2016, when a serious chest infection and a lengthy stay in a Singapore hospital forced him to retire from the public eye.

Five-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton paid tribute to a man renowned for his outstanding talent but also for his remarkable sportsmanship.

"Stirling is a great ambassador for the sport and the UK," said Hamilton. "He is a living legend.

"I have had the privilege of meeting him several times, and I have good memories.

"I saw this great man who had a walking stick which turned into a seat and he would sit on it and talk to me."

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.