F1

Jochen Mass, the eclectic boss

The only German driver to have won both the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a Formula 1 Grand Prix has died of a stroke at the age of 78. A look back at an eclectic career.

Published 07/05/2025 à 09:00

Medhi Casaurang

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Jochen Mass, the eclectic boss

© Mercedes-Benz

Was Jochen Mass born in the right era? One might doubt it. Born in the immediate post-war period, 50 km from Munich, Jochen Richard Mass would have made a formidable representative for Mercedes from the time when the Silver Arrows dominated the podiums of speed races in the 1930s. Moreover, once he had retired from racing, Jochen Mass became the most loyal ambassador of the Munich manufacturer at historic gatherings such as Le Mans Classic or Goodwood, where he also took part in the Festival of Speed ​​as well as the Revival last year.

Charged with keeping German heritage alive, he never left his aviator glasses and vintage jumpsuit to stay on theme. The best compliment he received came from the legend, Sir Stirling Moss. "He is a driver with excellent driving feel for racing cars and a high level of knowledge, who knows all the eras of racing history." However, the young Mass never dreamed of imitating heroes from across the Rhine like Bernd Rosemeyer or Rudolf Caracciola. "My only contact with motor racing was through the tragedies reported in the newspapers, such as Le Mans 1955 (more than 80 deaths) or the 1957 Mille Miglia (12 dead) ; so I associated motor sport with something

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Medhi Casaurang

Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!

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2 Comment (s)

Yves-Henri RANDIER

10/05/2025 at 05:26 a.m.

Moreover, once he retired from racing, Jochen Mass became the Munich-based manufacturer's most loyal ambassador at historic rallies. I didn't know Mercedes' headquarters were in Munich. Did an intern write this article? Mercedes is a Swabian brand, based in Stuttgart, unlike its eternal Munich rival, Bayerische Motoren Werke.

C

Croullebois Michel

07/05/2025 at 01:35 a.m.

Mercedes is based in Stuttgart, not in Munich, BMW's stronghold.

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