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An Interview with Wolfgang Freidrichs
Aston Martin Racing Pedigree
We aren't the best at modesty, so let's just say it. Hackett and Aston Martin Racing are a world class team. As Aston Martin Racing's longest continual sponsor, we are proud to be the luxury British car marque's official clothing partner.
This year, the Aston Martin DBR1 is celebrating a landmark moment in its history. We caught up with classic car racer, collector, and a firm friend of Hackett, Wolfgang Friedrichs, to rediscover the story of this extraordinary 1950s supercar.
DISCOVER THE COLLECTIONThe Aston Martin DBR1 was an early automotive giant-killer. It was designed and built by Aston Martin in 1956, intended to race in the prestigious World Sportscar Championship, the most high profile motorsport tournament of its day.
In 1959, the DBR1 won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a 24-hour endurance race at France’s famous racing track, the Circuit de la Sarthe, beating the likes of Ferrari and Lotus to the punch. It is also one of only three cars in the 1950s to win both the World Sportscar Championship and Le Mans 24 Hours in the same year.
As you might imagine, a car of this calibre is extremely rare – only five were built. Thankfully, one is in the possession of loyal Aston Martin enthusiast and collector, Wolfgang Friedrichs, “I have always loved classic cars”, he tells us. “I started to collect them in my thirties. At first, it was difficult to know where to begin; I’ve never been a Porsche man, and Ferrari wasn’t for me either. Eventually, I settled on Aston Martin.”
“The first car I bought was a DBS6 Vantage in 1987. I chose it because I liked its looks and the sense of British understatement that comes with an Aston Martin. Once I started to drive Astons, I absolutely fell in love with them. I decided to race in the Mille Miglia, and my DB3S performed brilliantly throughout. I’ve driven classic Astons in the Mille Miglia seven times since.”
This success in the Mille Miglia sparked a lifelong love of classic and modern Aston Martins. In the years that have followed, Friedrichs has built a remarkable collection of iconic race cars dating back to the 1950s and ‘60s. Nevertheless, the DBR1 occupies a special place in Friedrichs’ heart.
“The DBR1 is unique. I’ve always thought of it as an early 1960s style icon. It’s one of the best looking cars I’ve ever seen and in its day, it was a world-beating machine. Nothing quite like it had existed before.”
With a passion for Aston Martin like his, we’re thrilled to say that Friedrichs is an admirer of Hackett too. When he races at the Goodwood Revival, he carries Hackett decals on his car, whichever model from his collection it may be.
“Like Aston Martin, I’ve always admired the Britishness of Hackett – Jeremy’s taste in both clothes and cars is superb. Given how Hackett and Aston Martin support each other today, it makes sense for me to represent both brands in turn when I race.”
Friedrichs’ commitment to the sport and his beloved car collection is remarkable, but where does his love of racing come from?
“I’m not sure,” he says. “I just know that every man should race a classic car at some point in his life – preferably an Aston Martin.”We couldn’t agree more. DISCOVER THE COLLECTION
