Jochen Mass

German racing driver and broadcaster, winner of the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix and the 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Jochen Richard Mass (30 September 1946 – 4 May 2025) was a German racing driver and broadcaster, who competed in Formula One from 1973 to 1982. Mass won the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix with McLaren. In endurance racing, Mass won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1989 with Sauber.

Quick Facts

Birth name: Jochen Richard Mass
Born: 30 September 1946
Birthplace: Dorfen, Bavaria, Germany
Died: 4 May 2025
Place of death: Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Spouse: Esthéa Mellet; Bettina (1994)
Children: 4

Lore & Background

Born and raised in Bavaria, Mass made appearances in Formula Super Vee, Formula Three, and European Formula Two throughout his early career. He finished runner-up in the latter in 1973, having already taken victory at the 24 Hours of Spa alongside Hans-Joachim Stuck the year prior. Mass made his Formula One debut at the 1973 British Grand Prix with Surtees, making sporadic appearances before achieving a full-time seat in 1974. Mass moved to McLaren from the 1974 Canadian Grand Prix onwards, where he achieved his only race win at the curtailed 1975 Spanish Grand Prix.

In his final season with McLaren in 1977, having taken several podiums with the team, Mass finished a career-best sixth in the World Drivers' Championship. After a non-classified championship finish in 1978 with ATS, Mass spent two seasons at Arrows. He was seriously injured at the 1980 Austrian Grand Prix, bruising his neck and fracturing vertebrae as his Arrows A3 rolled over during practice. After a year hiatus, Mass returned in 1982 with March.

Following his crash with Mauro Baldi at the 1982 French Grand Prix—only two months after his involvement in the death of Gilles Villeneuve—Mass retired from Formula One, having achieved one win, two fastest laps, and eight podiums.

Reader's Guide

Outside Formula One, Mass entered 12 editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1972 to 1989, winning in 1989 alongside Manuel Reuter and Stanley Dickens, driving the Sauber C9, as well as finishing runner-up in the World Sportscar Championship, matching his result from 1984. He also finished runner-up at Le Mans in 1987 with Porsche. Mass was the champion of the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft in 1985, as well as twice finishing runner-up in Interserie, all with Joest. Mass was also a race-winner in the British Saloon Car Championship. Upon retiring from motor racing, Mass became a commentator for RTL from 1993 to 1997. Mass made frequent appearances at Goodwood events from the 1990s onwards, including the Festival of Speed and the Revival. In popular culture, Mass appeared as himself in Rush (2013).

Did You Know?

Mass won the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix after leader Rolf Stommelen's car crashed into the crowd, killing four spectators.
Mass was involved in the fatal accident of Gilles Villeneuve during qualifying for the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix.
Mass worked in the Merchant navy before starting his racing career.