Rediscovered Stirling Moss photos offer unique glimpse of driver at his peak

Racing History

Unseen for more than six decades, a set of photographs from Silverstone in 1958 offer an unprecedented view of Stirling Moss

Moss and Brabham at 1961 Silverstan International Trophy

Moss, flanked by Jack Brabham and other drivers, listens to a briefing

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In the scale of Stirling Moss’s sporting achievements, the 1958 International Trophy at Silverstone is barely worth a mention.

During the disappointing May weekend, he retired from two races and saw none of the silverware.

But, thanks to a young photographer who accompanied Moss, the apparently unexceptional meeting provided a unique view of a race weekend in the life of Moss.

From the archive

Never-before-seen photographs recently discovered by Richard Williams, while researching his latest book, The Boy, show Moss socialising, relaxing and racing at Silverstone.

Behind the camera was Michael Ward, an acquaintance of the driver, who would become a distinguished photographer, but was just starting out at the time.

His photojournal starts with images of Stirling and his first wife, Katie, leaving their house, packing the boot of an Aston Martin DB Mark III and heading to Silverstone.

Stirling Moss packing his car ahead of the 1958 Silverstone International Trophy

Packing, but with a difference: Nowadays you wouldn’t catch F1 stars rearranging the boot

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Moss shared driving duties with Tony Brooks in the Rob Walker Cooper-Climax T43

In photographs published in the latest issue of Motor Sport, there are multiple cups of tea drunk; autograph signings and the driver briefing, where Moss is seen standing next to Jack Brabham.

He’s photographed watching support races with Katie, who’s also seen filling in lap charts.

Moss competed in the non-championship F1 race, where he put up a heroic charge in his 2-litre Cooper-Climax T43 but retired with a split gearbox casing, leaving Peter Collins to win in the Ferrari Dino 246.

His second appearance, driving an Aston Martin DBR3 with Tony Brooks in the sport car race also ended prematurely, as he pulled in to the pits after feeling the engine tightening.

The result is a series of photos that show none of the familiar, end-of-race celebrations, but instead offer a comprehensive view of Stirling Moss in his day job.

You can view a larger set of the pictures in the May edition of Motor Sport Magazine