Jochen Mass, the legendary racing driver and longtime ambassador for Mercedes-Benz Classic, passed away on May 4, 2025, at the age of 78.
Known for his remarkable versatility and charisma, Mass enjoyed a motorsport career spanning three decades, with one of his greatest achievements being the overall win at the 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans in the Sauber-Mercedes C9.
Mass began racing in 1968 after training as a mechanic and briefly working as a sailor. He made his mark in touring cars with Alfa Romeo and Ford before stepping up to Formula One in 1973.
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Over 105 Grand Prix starts, he earned one victory and eight podiums, making him the most successful German F1 driver of his era. His post-F1 years saw him compete in diverse events including the Paris–Dakar Rally and a decade-long stint with Porsche, before joining Sauber-Mercedes and guiding the Silver Arrows to their first Le Mans win in over 30 years.
Beyond his own driving success, Mass played a key mentoring role in the early careers of future stars Michael Schumacher, Karl Wendlinger, and Heinz-Harald Frentzen as part of Mercedes-Benz’s Junior Team in Group C racing.
His deep connection to Mercedes-Benz continued after retirement, becoming a cherished figure at historic events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed, often behind the wheel of iconic Silver Arrows and other vintage Mercedes machines.
Described by Sir Stirling Moss as a driver with unmatched sensitivity and historical knowledge, Jochen Mass was more than a racer—he was a storyteller, mentor, and living link to motorsport’s golden eras. His legacy lives on not only in his racing accolades but in the inspiration he brought to fans, peers, and the automotive world.
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