Erich Zakowski

German master mechanic who founded Zakspeed and took it into Formula One from 1985 to 1989

Erich Zakowski came from Allenstein in East Prussia, where he was born in 1933. After the war his mother brought him and his four siblings west, and the family settled in Niederzissen, where he trained as a car mechanic, earned his master's certificate and opened his own garage, which became the home of the Zakspeed racing operation from 1968.

Under his direction Zakspeed made its name in German sports car and touring car racing in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1985 it entered Formula One, building its own cars and engines, and stayed for five seasons before the loss of its main sponsor ended the program. He then handed the team to his son Peter. He died on the 1st of November 2023, aged 89.

Teams led

• Zakspeed, 1985 to 1989