Born in 1909, Lang’s career started like many other drivers, on motorcycles. While the majority of the other drivers exchanged two wheels for four, Lang exchanged 3 wheels for four, having competed in sidecar competitions. He would later comment that this gave him an advantage, as the cornering characteristics were similar to cars. The economic difficulties that gripped Europe during the early thirties saw Lang unemployed. He fell back on the trade that got him started that of a mechanic. Daimler-Benz for their Experimental Department hired him just as work on the Silver Arrows had begun. After testing the cars at Monza, Jakob Krauss, the Foreman asked Lang if he was the same man that had driven sidecars. Answering in the affirmative Lang did not think much more of this conversation. Krauss would later become his advocate within the team, later having Lang transferred to the test department where he would drive countless miles testing production cars.
Lang initially was assigned as one of Luigi Fagioli’s racing mechanics. While bedding in the brakes of the Italian’s racecar Lang had a chance to drive the car at close to racing speeds. He liked how it felt. Later back at the factory he was called into Neubauer’s office and was told that Krauss had recommended that Lang be given a trial as a racecar driver.
No Subscription? You’re missing out
Get immediate ad-free access to all our premium content.
Born in 1909, Lang’s career started like many other drivers, on motorcycles. While the majority of the other drivers exchanged two wheels for four, Lang exchanged 3 wheels for four, having competed in sidecar competitions. He would later comment that this gave him an advantage, as the cornering characteristics were similar to cars. The economic difficulties that gripped Europe during the early thirties saw Lang unemployed. He fell back on the trade that got him started that of a mechanic. Daimler-Benz for their Experimental Department hired him just as work on the Silver Arrows had begun. After testing the cars at Monza, Jakob Krauss, the Foreman asked Lang if he was the same man that had driven sidecars. Answering in the affirmative Lang did not think much more of this conversation. Krauss would later become his advocate within the team, later having Lang transferred to the test department where he would drive countless miles testing production cars.
Lang initially was assigned as one of Luigi Fagioli’s racing mechanics. While bedding in the brakes of the Italian’s racecar Lang had a chance to drive the car at close to racing speeds. He liked how it felt. Later back at the factory he was called into Neubauer’s office and was told that Krauss had recommended that Lang be given a trial as a racecar driver.
