10 Years at Starline: From Apprentice to Key Member of the Team

Patrick likes to sway along to Schlager music at the Wasen or the Mallorca Party. It’s practically the antithesis of the tech purism in the shop: down-to-earth, weatherproof, unshakable. Anyone who rode a 125cc bike “from the Alb” to work every day during their apprenticeship—come rain, wind, or snow—has truly earned their composure. You can still see this Alb-style toughness in him today: Nothing fazes Patrick. Nothing.

These days, he gets around much more comfortably and with lower emissions: driving an electric car to work—progress without losing his down-to-earth nature. And while he comes across to others as the team’s calming influence, he quietly and without fanfare earned a bachelor’s degree in business informatics on the side. This blend of understatement and ambition runs like a common thread through his entire time at Starline.

There’s only one thing that gets Patrick riled up: VfB. The large tattoo on his upper arm speaks volumes, but anyone who’s ever seen him in the Cannstatter Kurve knows: that’s where he’s in his element. In 2018, his name was proudly displayed on the VfB team bus—true fan status, just as it should be.

That’s not the only reason he treats himself to a beer or two at the folk festival or really lets loose at the Mallorca party—Patrick knows how to make the most of his evenings after work and weekends. And on top of that, he’s proven that discipline isn’t just important when it comes to earning a bachelor’s degree: he lost about 20 kilos through smart calorie counting rather than a crash diet. Consistency seems to be his middle name.