On This Day

British auto racer Sterling Moss scores his 16th and final Formula 1 victory in the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring

Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss (17 September 1929 – 12 April 2020) was a British racing driver and broadcaster, who competed in Formula One from 1951 to 1961.

Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss (17 September 1929 – 12 April 2020) was a British racing driver and broadcaster, who competed in Formula One from 1951 to 1961. Widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers to never win the Formula One World Drivers' Championship, Moss won a record 212 official races across several motorsport disciplines, including 16 Formula One Grands Prix. In endurance racing, Moss won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1954, as well as the Mille Miglia in 1955 with Mercedes.

Born and raised in London, Moss was the son of amateur racing driver Alfred Moss and the older brother of rally driver Pat. Aged nine, Alfred bought him an Austin 7, which he raced around the field of the family's country house.

Historical Significance

Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss (17 September 1929 – 12 April 2020) was a British racing driver and broadcaster, who competed in Formula One from 1951 to 1961.

Events Before

  1. Fausto Coppi dies

    Fausto Coppi cyclist, known for italian cyclist, died on 1960-01-02. Angelo Fausto Coppi was an Italian cyclist, the dominant international cyclist of the years after the Second World War.

  2. A photograph of a 13-year-old South African boy in a torn vest working in a mine is published in the Daily Herald; emplo

    A photograph of a 13-year-old South African boy in a torn vest working in a mine is published in the Daily Herald; employing a 'native' under 18 in the mines is illegal under the Native Labour Regulation Act

  3. LaMar Clark sets pro boxing record of 44 consecutive knockouts

    LaMar Clark sets pro boxing record of 44 consecutive knockouts

  4. Comedic actor Bob Denver (25) weds Maggie Ryan in California

    Comedic actor Bob Denver (25) weds Maggie Ryan in California

  5. American songwriter Adolph Green (45) weds (for 3rd and final time) American actress and singer Phyllis Newman (24) in N

    American songwriter Adolph Green (45) weds (for 3rd and final time) American actress and singer Phyllis Newman (24) in NYC, until his death in 2002

Events After

  1. Belgium grants Rwanda internal self-governance

    Belgium grants Rwanda internal self-governance

  2. John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit Earth aboard Friendship 7

    John Herschel Glenn Jr. (July 18, 1921 – December 8, 2016) was an American Marine Corps aviator, astronaut, businessman, and politician.

  3. Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points, the most ever by an NBA player in a single game, in the Warriors

    Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points, the most ever by an NBA player in a single game, in the Warriors' 169-147 win over the NY Knicks in Hershey; 36-of-63 from the field, 28-of-32 from the free-throw line

  4. Five research groups announce the discovery of antimatter

    Five research groups announce the discovery of antimatter

  5. Stan Musial scores his 1,869th run, setting a new National League record

    Stan Musial scores his 1,869th run, setting a new National League record

More from the 1960s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 6, 1961?
Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss (17 September 1929 – 12 April 2020) was a British racing driver and broadcaster, who competed in Formula One from 1951 to 1961. Widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers to never win the Formula One World Drivers' Championship, Moss won a record 212 official races across several motorsport disciplines, including 16 Formula One Grands Prix. In endurance racing, Moss won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1954, as well as the Mille Miglia in 1955 with Mercedes.
Why is British auto racer Sterling Moss scores his 16th and final Formula 1 victory ... significant?
Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss (17 September 1929 – 12 April 2020) was a British racing driver and broadcaster, who competed in Formula One from 1951 to 1961.

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