Max Mosley killed himself after being told he was suffering from terminal cancer, an inquest has heard.
The former F1 boss died aged 81 at his home in London in May 2021.
Westminster coroner’s court heard on Tuesday that he decided to take his own life after learning that he likely had a “very limited life expectancy”. He was also said to have been in “debilitating” pain.
Evidence presented to the inquest revealed that Mosley told his personal assistant that he had decided to kill himself the night before his death.
The court was told he had formed a “settled intent” and could not be dissuaded.
Recording a conclusion of suicide, senior coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox said she was “satisfied” Mosley had intended to kill himself.
“I am also entirely satisfied Mr Mosley would not have undertaken this action but for the distressing and debilitating terminal lymphoma,” she said.
Mosley developed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, an aggressive form of blood cancer, in 2019.
He was said to have “explored all treatment options”, but by the time of his death had been moved to palliative care.
Dr Wilcox recorded the cause of death as a gunshot wound, but added that cancer was a contributing factor.
Mosley was born in London in 1940, the youngest son of Oswald Mosley, former leader of the British Union of Fascists, and Diana Mitford.
He began his career in motor racing as an amateur driver, and between 1993 and 2009 served as president of Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, the governing body for Formula One.
He later became a high-profile campaigner for stricter press controls after the now defunct News of the World wrongly reported he had attended a “Nazi-themed” sex party.
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.
