Stirling Moss hailed by Jackie Stewart as 'the most charismatic racing driver there has ever been'
Jackie Stewart paid a fond tribute to Stirling Moss on Sunday as Britain's three-time world champion remembered his "ultimate hero".
Moss has died at the age of 90, news that reverberated around the global motorsport community, with modern-day drivers including Lewis Hamilton among those touched by the loss.
But Stewart knew Moss better than most, even though their racing careers did not overlap - Moss retiring after a heavy crash in 1962 and Stewart emerging later in the decade.
Stewart grew up admiring stories of the exploits of Moss, who won 16 Formula One grands prix and Italy's famous Mille Miglia endurance road race.
They had a long-time kinship, talismen for drivers in Britain and beyond, and Stewart said: "The pass of Stirling Moss is an enormous loss to the world of motorsport.
"He was the most dynamic, the most charismatic racing driver I think that there has ever been.
"He walked like a racing driver, he talked like a racing driver and he looked like a racing driver.
"And of course he never did win the world championship, only because he always wanted to drive a British car and at that time the Italians and the Germans were more powerful.
"The loss of Stirling Moss for the world of motorsport is a great loss and really for me he was my ultimate hero.
"He just did the right thing, the right way, and carried the sport and Britain in a very majestic fashion."
Stewart offered his tribute on the Race Against Dementia's Twitter page, sending a message of condolence to Moss' widow.
A message from Sir Jackie Stewart on the passing of his dear friend, Sir Stirling Moss. pic.twitter.com/wSTDRazuxh
— Race Against Dementia (@racingdementia) April 12, 2020
"To Susie, I send my deepest sympathy," he said. "I went to see Stirling over the last two or three years on a regular basis.
"It's a terrible loss to the sport and also for me and my family."
Moss was also remembered with affection by Ferrari, the marque he almost drove for in the early stage of his Formula One career.
According to Ferrari, Moss was offered a drive in the 1951 Bari Grand Prix, only for the team to entrust Piero Taruffi with the car at late notice.
Moss was said to have been furious and vowed never to drive for Ferrari in F1.
Enzo Ferrari's son, current Ferrari vice-president Piero Ferrari, called Moss a "formidable rival" to the Prancing Horse team.
"Stirling Moss symbolised motorsport," said Piero Ferrari.
"He was a true personality who left an indelible impression on the history of racing.
"Despite not winning the Formula One world championship, he is most definitely a legendary figure and he was a fearsome and formidable rival of Ferrari.
"My father said that Stirling reminded him of [Italian motorcycle and car racing star] Tazio Nuvolari, because of his love of racing in any type of car, something which stayed with him right to the very end of his career."