British motorsport legend Sir Stirling Moss has formally called time on his remarkable racing career, retiring from motorsport at the age of 81 a statement said yesterday.

Moss, regarded as the greatest driver never to win the Formula One world championship, said on his website he was quitting after “scaring himself” during qualifying for the Legends race at Le Mans this week.

“This afternoon I scared myself and I have always said that if I felt I was not up to it or that I was getting in the way of fellow competitors, then I would retire,” Moss said following Thursday’s session.

“I love racing but now it’s time to stop,” added Moss, who had been due to enter the Legends event at Le Mans in his own restored Porsche RS61.

Moss is one of the most recognised racing drivers in the world, first competing behind the wheel as an 18-year-old before going on to win the British Grand Prix twice and the Monaco Grand Prix three times.

Moss raced in 66 grands prix between 1954 to 1961, recording 16 victories.

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