"Rest in peace, racer," was how Mario Andretti signed off his message of condolence, and nothing would have pleased Stirling Moss more. For one thing, he saw Mario as a kindred spirit more than anyone else; for another, he would have seen his words as an ultimate accolade.
"It was easy," said Moss, "for me to understand how Mario went on racing as long as he did, however much he had in the bank. That man was a racer, like Gilles Villeneuve was a racer. And like I was, I think..." For all his artistry, his countless victories, it was on this that he most prided himself.
Now, with the news of his death not unexpected but still raw, as well as losing a loyal and generous friend, I feel that the last of my gods is gone. If ever a racing driver transcended his sport, it was Stirling.