The Race

And Colossally That's History S2 E8: Moss vs Hawthorn - The race to be Britain’s first F1 champion

Added 2024-11-22 20:14:48 +0000 UTC

As many as 10 British drivers have become world champion since the inauguration of the Formula 1 world championship in 1950, but only one has the distinction of being the first person from his country to do so.

On today's episode of Colossally, Matt and Richard discuss the battle to become Britain's first F1 world champion, which occurred in 1958 and boiled down to a straight fight between two very different drivers: Mike Hawthorn and Stirling Moss.

They discuss why their head-to-head rivalry represented the beginning of fandom in Formula 1, the triumphs and tribulations each faced heading into 1958, the unique differences in their personalities and driving styles, and of course the need-to-know details on the 1958 season itself.

Along the way there are some amazing and little known nuggets shared, as well as several personal recollections from Matt and Richard of meetings with the great Moss.