Jochen Mass remembers James Hunt

Jochen Mass, born 30 September 1946, is a German former racing driver. He secured one win (the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix) and eight podiums in Formula 1, and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1989, driving a Sauber Mercedes C9.

Rivals in Formula 3, Jochen Mass and James Hunt (picture above) forged a fruitful bond during their two years (1976-1977) together at McLaren. “I knew James from our Formula 3 days,”  Jochen recalls with a smile. “We fooled around together in London a lot in those days, so we knew each other well by the time he came to McLaren in 1976.”

“He was always crashing in F3, you remember, and I replaced him in the March team, which is funny when you consider what happened later when he came to McLaren and won the world championship.”

Jochen Mass continues: “Anyway, he matured a lot as a driver after that, and when he came from Hesketh in ’76, he had won a Grand Prix. He was a much more solid driver, quite outstanding, in fact.”

Hunt soon was quicker than Mass at McLaren, who easily admits: “Look, you are judged by your performance against your team-mate so he is your team enemy, your opposition, so if he’s quicker in the same car, there is no excuses left.”

In 1976 it also became evident that Hunt was benefiting from the best equipment. “He had all the skills, and he was very quick, no doubt,” says Jochen. “In those days the Cosworth guys were always developing the engines and trying new ideas, and there weren’t enough of the best engines to go round. It was the same for all teams: Andretti and Scheckter had better engines than their team-mates, and so it was with McLaren.”

Jochen now talks about the talent that took Hunt to his championship that year. “He was a masterful driver and he always used the car to the best effect whatever the circumstances. He was very precise, very quick and totally focused on the job. James was a pleasure to watch, excellent in the car, very brave, and maybe I was more laidback.”

“Yes I could match him sometimes,” smiles Jochen, “especially at Le Castellet and at the Nürburgring, but James was very committed, very strong. We had mutual respect. We did some crazy things; lots of girls. I think he remained a wild man all his life: he never calmed down completely. A unique character that I miss.”