Jochen Mass

Name: Jochen Mass

Nationality: Germany

Date of birth: September 30, 1946 - Munich

Jochen Mass - popularly nicknamed "Hermann the German" by the McLaren team with whom he enjoyed his most successful Formula 1 years - was a one-time able seaman of tousled appearance who started his racing career in sprints and hillclimbs with an Alfa Romeo Giulia Spring. He gained international prominence with his efforts at the wheel of Ford Capri touring cars during the European Touring Car Championship in the early 1970s, but gained admission to Formula 1 on the strength of equally strong showings in Formula 2 single seaters. His Formula 1 debut came in the 1973 British Grand Prix driving for Surtees, but he switched to McLaren late in 1974 to drive a Yardley-backed M23 which had previously been handled by Mike Hailwood and David Hobbs. He was paired with Emerson Fittipaldi in the Marlboro-McLaren squad for 1975, winning the tragically shorted "half points" Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona after the race was flagged to a halt following Rolf Stommelen's accident in the Hill GH1 which killed four spectators. After James Hunt's arrival at McLaren for 1976, Mass gradually fell into a subordinate role, unable to match Hunt for sheer speed on the circuit. In 1978 he switched to ATS for what proved a disastrous season, ending prematurely after he broke a leg testing at Silverstone. Two years with Arrows followed, then a year off from Formula 1 and a finally, uncompetitive assault with an uncompetitive RAM March. From then on, Mass enjoyed considerable success with sports cars, but this pleasant man really deserved more from his years in Formula 1.

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