Jochen Farmhouse

Jochen Mass (born the September 30th 1946 with Dorfen, Bavaria, in Germany) is a German racing driver. Author of a honourable career in Formula 1, punctuated by a victory with the GP of Spain 1975, it was characterized thereafter in the tests of endurance and in particular gained the 24 hours of Mans in 1989.

Biography

Come to the automobile sport by the means of the hill climb, Jochen Mass passed by the championships of Europe of the and private cars Formule 2 before reaching the Formule 1 in 1973, within the modest stable Surtees.

In 1974, it leaves Surtees during the year to control McLaren semi-official with the colors of Yardley. This transfer opens to him the doors of the official team in 1975, where it makes team with the world champion in title Emerson Fittipaldi. Enough clearly dominated by its Brazilian fellow-member, Mass makes profitable the quality of its mounting to hang several places of honor. It gains even the GP of Spain, interrumpu before the semi-race following the accident of Rolf Stommelen in which four spectators are killed. Farmhouse, which had benefitted from the many abandonments which have occurred in front of him and which was at the head at the time when the flag was held up, is declared victorious. It should be noted that in reason of the early interruption of the test, this success reports only 4,5 points to him. With three other podiums, it finishes the season in the eighth place of the championship.

Always at McLaren in 1976, it is joined by the British pilot James Hunt. Like the previous year vis-a-vis Fittipaldi, Mass posts its gaps since it can make better only two podiums (and the ninth place with general classification) while Hunt takes down the world title. It continues its role of discrete team-member in 1977 (with a sixth place with the general), which does not satisfy the owner of McLaren Teddy Mayer, which, eager to put the pressure on Hunt at the staggering motivation, prefers to replace the German by promising the Patrick Tambay.

In 1978, Mass finds refuge in the German team ATS for what will be only one year of galère, without the least registered point. It passes then to Arrows in 1979 and 1980 (7 points in two years), then, after one year without wheel in 1981, are recruited by stable RAM-March in 1982. It is about a white springtide in term of results, and which moreover is marked by its implication in the fatal accident of Gilles Villeneuve during the tests of the GP of Belgium with Zolder.

At the conclusion of the season 1982, Mass leaves F1 for the tests of tourism and endurance. This second career will culminate with its recruitment by Mercedes, team with whom it gains the 24 hours of Mans in 1989, before being selected to frame the young pilots of the " Team" junior; (among which in particular Michael Schumacher appeared).

From now on with the retirement, Jochen Mass remains very related to Mercedes. It regularly controls cars of the firm to star in historical demonstrations.

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