Celebrating the life of Jochen Mass at Festival of Speed

Born in 1946 and having started his working life in the merchant navy, Mass took up motor racing in the 1960s. Little did he know where his talent would lead him over the following six decades. 

From a guest drive of an Alfa Romeo when the actual racing driver was sick, he built up his skills and reputation, going on to race and win at motorsport’s highest levels. Mass raced at Le Mans 12 times, winning with the Sauber C9 in 1989. He raced in Formula 2, finishing second in 1973, the same year he debuted in Formula 1, a category he’d compete in for 114 races and win in, with victory at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix for McLaren.

Mass also competed in the British Saloon Car Championship, the European Touring Car Championship, and of course we can’t forget his many, many races at the wheel of all sorts of machinery at the Goodwood Revival and Members’ Meeting. 

A mentor to some of motorsport’s biggest names, like Michael Schumacher, and a friend to anyone with a love of motorsport, our moment of silence for our sadly departed friend gave us time to reflect on his life alongside his family and a number of the cars he so loved to compete in.

Jochen Mass will be missed at Goodwood, but never forgotten. 

The 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed is underway! You can watch every moment of the action by watching our livestream.

Photography by Pete Summers.