Sir Stirling Moss has called time on more than seven decades in the public spotlight after announcing his retirement, aged 88, on Friday.

Moss, who won 16 Formula One races during a glittering career, spent 134 days in a Singapore hospital last year after he was admitted with a serious chest infection while on holiday.

A statement written by his son Elliot, and published on Moss’s personal website, read: “To all of his many friends and fans around the world, who use this website for regular updates, my father would like to announce that he will be closing it down.

“Following his severe infections at the end of 2016 and his subsequent slow and arduous recovery, the decision has been made that, at the age of 88, the indefatigable man will finally retire, so that he and my mother (Susie) can have some much deserved rest and spend more time with each other and the rest of the family.

“The entire and extended Moss clan thank everyone for all their love and support over the years and we wish you all a happy and prosperous 2018.”

Moss achieved stunning success in his driving career, triumphing in a wide variety of races, notably the 1955 Mille Miglia race in Italy.

He narrowly missed out on the F1 title, finishing as runner-up on four occasions, and is widely regarded as the greatest driver never to win the world championship. Moss only officially retired from motor racing in 2011.