British racing legend Stirling Moss is recovering in a London hospital this week after undergoing surgery on two broken ankles on Sunday. After falling three floors inside the lift shaft of his London home following a lift malfunction, the 80-year-old 16-race winner suffered two broken ankles, four broken bones in his foot, skin abrasions and four chipped vertebrae.

Having been treated by paramedics at his home following the accident, he was taken to the Royal London Hospital, before being transferred to the Princess Grace Hospital on Sunday with the assistance of former F1 doctor Sid Watkins. There he underwent surgery on his ankles, and is now said to be comfortable and in high spirits.

Lady Moss, Stirling's wife, said: “This was a very unfortunate accident; it could have just as easily been another member of the family stepping into where the lift should have been.”

Stirling will take up to six weeks to recover from his injuries, while fans can post their messages of good luck on his website www.StirlingMoss.com.