Who Is Jochen Mass? Age, Biography and Wiki
Jochen Mass was born on September 30, 1946, in Stuttgart, Germany. A celebrated figure in the world of motorsport, Mass began his racing career in the early 1970s and quickly made a name for himself in various formats, from Formula One to sports car racing. As of 2025, he would be celebrating his 79th birthday, with a legacy that has greatly influenced German motorsport and inspired a generation of racing enthusiasts.
| Occupation | Sports |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 30, 1946 |
| Age | 78 Years |
| Birth Place | N/A |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | |
| Date of death | 4 May, 2025 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Jochen Mass's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Throughout his racing career, Jochen Mass has been known for his agile physique, which has complemented his speed and performance on the track. While specific figures may vary, he is approximately 1.80 meters (5 feet 11 inches) tall and has maintained a weight of around 75 kg (165 lbs). These measurements have played a significant role in his success as a driver, allowing him to adapt to the demanding nature of professional racing.
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. Mass moved to McLaren from the onwards, where he achieved his only race win at the curtailed 1975 Spanish Grand Prix.
In his final season with McLaren in, 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 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 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.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Jochen Mass has generally kept his personal life behind the scenes. While there is limited public information about his romantic relationships, it is known that he has been married. His family has been supportive of his racing career, with many of his relatives attending various events throughout the years. There is no current information about his boyfriend or girlfriend, and specific details about his marital status remain private.
His father's family came from Mecklenburg, where his grandfather worked as a ship captain. This led to Mass working on ships of the Merchant navy after leaving school, which started a lifelong passion for boats and sailing. His interest in racing started late when he attended a hillclimbing race where his girlfriend worked as a steward.
He then quit working on a ship and started an apprenticeship at an Alfa Romeo dealership in Mannheim. The owner, who entered Alfas in numerous racing events, saw Mass' talent which started his racing career.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Jochen Mass's net worth is estimated to be around $15 million. His wealth stems from a successful career as a professional racing driver, combined with various endorsements and business ventures. Over the years, Mass has participated in numerous high-profile racing events and has been involved in automotive-related businesses, further contributing to his financial success.
Mass placed second to Jean-Pierre Jarier in a Formula Two race at Nivelles, in June 1973. He had finished second in the first heat and third in the second.
In his first Formula One race at the 1973 British Grand Prix he wasn't able to complete a lap, because he, as well as his two Surtees teammates, were part of the multi-car-collision that led to the end of Andrea de Adamichs career. He completed his first Formula One race at the 1973 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring.
Mass came in seventh in a Surtees. After driving three races for them in 1973, he secured a full-time ride with Surtees for the 1974 season. Mass soon was unhappy with the team, because John Surtees couldn't afford to pay him regularly and they were using cheap, low-quality material for the car which broke constantly.
At the 1974 Monaco Grand Prix qualifying a part of the right rear suspension broke on his TS16. Mass blamed it on faulty material, while John Surtees insisted that Mass hit the wall somewhere on the track. Mass subsequently refused to start the race.
He continued to race for the team for five more races until John Surtees agreed to let him out of his contract and Mass went on to sign with McLaren.
At the last race of the season at Watkins Glen his replacement at Surtees Helmut Koinigg, whom Mass warned about the car on the flight to North America, died in an accident caused by suspension failure.
Career, Business and Investments
Jochen Mass has had a diverse career spanning over several decades. He started in Formula Three and quickly escalated to the Formula One circuit, where he made a significant impact in the 1970s and 1980s. Mass has also competed in endurance races, most notably the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he achieved remarkable success. Beyond racing, he has made strategic investments in automotive businesses and has worked as a consultant in the industry, solidifying his status as an influential figure in motorsport.
At the 1976 German Grand Prix Mass was in a good position to win his home Grand Prix. He was the only one to start on dry tires on a partially wet Nordschleife. The track dried and after the second lap he led with a good margin after the other drivers all needed to pit for dry tires.
The race was stopped after the severe accident of Niki Lauda and restarted in dry conditions which eliminated Mass' advantage and he finished 3rd while his teammate James Hunt won the race.
Social Network
Jochen Mass has maintained a modest presence on social media, where he occasionally shares insights into his life and career. His engagement with fans through platforms like Instagram and Twitter highlights his ongoing connection to the motorsport community. While he may not be as active as other celebrities, his posts often reflect his passion for racing and his experiences over the years.
Education
Jochen Mass's education in engineering provided him with a solid foundation for understanding the technical aspects of racing cars. Although details of his formal education are not widely published, his background has undoubtedly contributed to his success on the track, enabling him to better understand vehicle mechanics and performance.
In summary, Jochen Mass continues to be a celebrated figure in the world of motorsport in 2025, with a rich history, impressive earnings, and a lasting influence on the racing community. His legacy remains impactful, inspiring both fans and aspiring drivers alike.
Merzario and Mass led an Alfa Romeo sweep of the first two positions in the 1975 Coppa Florio manufacturers championship automobile race at Pergusa. Mass was third in the 1975 French Grand Prix at Le Castellet. On lap 44 he broke the record set by Denny Hulme, clocking a time of 1:50.60 over the 3.61-mile circuit.
Mass and Jacky Ickx teamed in a Porsche to claim victory in the Dijon Six-Hour Race. Mass won the eighth and final race of the 1976 World Sports Car Championship series. He completed the 4.2 kilometre, Salzburg course in 1 hour, 28 minutes, 25.24 seconds, with an average speed of 125 m.p.h.
