Siena, 2023 Mille Miglia
Story, photos and video by Bob Cullinan
He lived a life that was both heroic and tragic, and will go down in history as one of the most versatile, gregarious drivers in the sport. Jochen Mass triumphed in Formula 1 and at Le Mans, winning the Spanish Grand Prix in 1975 and the 24 Hours in 1989. But his triumphs were tempered by tragedy. Mass was declared the winner at Spain in ‘75 after Rolf Stommelen’s car hit a protective barrier, resulting in the death of multiple spectators. Five years later, a collision with the car driven by Gilles Villeneuve at the 1982 Belgian GP led to the death of the Canadian racer.