An Extraordinary Life Story in Conversation
From life at sea to the pinnacle of motorsport: in Episode 269 of the “Alte Schule” podcast, Jochen Mass looks back on the beginnings of an extraordinary racing career.
The first part of this in-depth conversation goes back to a time when becoming a professional racing driver was anything but an obvious path for Mass. Before race tracks, Formula cars and international motorsport teams became part of his everyday life, he spent his early years working at sea.
It is precisely this unusual beginning that makes his story so fascinating. A sailor became a racing driver, and his first experiences with cars eventually developed into a career that would take him all the way to Formula 1.
Motorsport History Told First-Hand
“Alte Schule” is built around personal memories. Rather than focusing only on results, statistics and trophies, Jochen Mass tells the story of the experiences, decisions and encounters that shaped his career.
The result is a fascinating look back at a very different era of motorsport – more direct, more improvised and, in many respects, far removed from the highly professional racing world of today.
The two-part podcast spans more than five decades of motorsport history. Part one focuses particularly on Mass’ early years and his journey into professional racing and ultimately Formula 1.
He would later become one of the most versatile German racing drivers of his generation. In addition to Formula 1, Mass enjoyed a highly successful career in sports car racing and developed close associations with manufacturers including Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.
From Formula 1 to Le Mans Victory
Between 1973 and 1982, Jochen Mass competed in 105 Formula 1 Grands Prix. His Formula 1 victory came for McLaren at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix.
But his career was never limited to single-seaters. Mass became a major figure in sports car and endurance racing, spending many years as a Porsche works driver before later joining Sauber-Mercedes.
One of the greatest achievements of his career came in 1989, when Jochen Mass won the 24 Hours of Le Mans together with Manuel Reuter and Stanley Dickens in the Sauber-Mercedes C9.
This versatility defined his entire career – from touring cars and Formula 1 to endurance racing and even appearances in the Paris–Dakar Rally.
A Special Connection with Rennarzt.de
For Rennarzt.de, this conversation also has a very personal significance.
Jochen Mass was a long-standing companion of Dr. Med. Karl R. Schuster. Motorsport and medical support brought the two together repeatedly over the years – from Mass’ active racing career to later encounters in historic motorsport.
That makes conversations such as this especially valuable today. They preserve not only sporting achievements, but also reveal the person behind the racing driver: calm, reflective, humorous and driven by a deep passion for motorsport and life.
Recorded in November 2024, the interview has become a special document of one of Germany’s great motorsport personalities.
Podcast Recommendation: “Alte Schule” Episode 269
Anyone who wants to discover Jochen Mass beyond race results and statistics should watch or listen to the first part of this “Alte Schule” two-part interview.
It is a journey from the sea to the race track – and at the same time a highly personal look back at a motorsport world that changed dramatically over the course of his life.
For motorsport fans, former companions and anyone interested in the people behind the racing cars, it is well worth watching.
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