Charlie Whiting RIP
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Charlie Whiting RIP
Andrew Bensen is reporting on his Twitter feed that F1 Race Director Charlie Whiting has died.
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I've just read this as well. Dear me. An embolism apparently.
Is it wrong to associate this with long flights?
What a dire way to start the season RIP
Is it wrong to associate this with long flights?
What a dire way to start the season RIP
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Very sad and sudden. RIP Charlie
Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting has passed away aged 66.
A statement from the FIA announced that the Brition died from a pulmonary embolism in Melbourne, on the eve of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix weekend.
Whiting had been present in the Albert Park paddock on Wednesday.
FIA president Jean Todt said: "It is with immense sadness that I learned of Charlie's passing. Charlie Whiting was a great race director, a central and inimitable figure in Formula 1 who embodied the ethics and spirit of this fantastic sport.
"Formula 1 has lost a faithful friend and a charismatic ambassador in Charlie.
"All my thoughts, those of the FIA and entire motor sport community go out to his family, friends, and all Formula 1 lovers."
Whiting first worked in Formula 1 for Hesketh Racing in 1977, but became best known working his way through the ranks at Brabham to become its chief mechanic.
He played a key role in helping Nelson Piquet to the world drivers' championship in 1981 and 1983 and would stay at the team until it was sold by then owner Bernie Ecclestone in 1988.
He moved to a position as FIA technical delegate, with the blessing of Ecclestone, and then became FIA director and safety delegate from 1997.
His role included overseeing track and car safety, technical and procedural matters on grand prix weekends plus starting the race itself.
Whiting was instrumental in pushing for improved safety standards in F1, and was a driving force behind the introduction of the halo at the start of last year, which was credited with saving the life of Charles Leclerc after his crash at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Speaking last year, Whiting said that a number of technical advances had contributed to making F1 so safe and allowing Leclerc to walk away.
"I agree about the introduction of the halo and that played a part, but you must not forget over the years all the far less visible things that have been done to improve safety of the survival cell, side impact structures, frontal impact structures, strengthen the survival cell itself, high cockpit sides, the headrest," he said.
"All of those things have been done gradually over the years and they also play a part in the outcome."
It is not yet known how the FIA will replace Whiting for the Australian GP weekend.
Whiting's race director role meant he was the lead official and in charge of everything rules related, from safety requirements and rule interpretation to the management of practice, qualifying and the race.
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I keep wanting to think this is an awful nightmare (it is two in the morning here in the UK after all!) and that I'm going to wake up and fibd our Charlie back on the starter's perch where he belongs but alas....
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Yes confirmed he was found dead in his hotel room.
https://www.speedcafe.com/2019/03/14/tr ... e-whiting/Tributes from across the motorsport world have flowed in for Formula 1 Race Director Charlie Whiting, who died unexpectedly in Melbourne a day before the 2019 season commenced.
Whiting had been F1’s Race Director since 1997, having joined the sport’s governing body in the late 1980s.
That followed stints at Hesketh and then Brabham, the latter with which he oversaw championship wins in 1981 and 1983 with Nelson Piquet.
The Englishman played a key role in the sport, and was instrumental in formulating the sport’s technical regulations.
“I have known Charlie for all of my racing life. We worked as mechanics together, became friends and spent so much time together at race tracks across the world,” said Formula 1’s Managing Director of Motorsport, Ross Brawn.
“I was filled with immense sadness when I heard the tragic news. I’m devastated.
“It is a great loss not only for me personally but also the entire Formula 1 family, the FIA and motorsport as a whole. All our thoughts go out to his family.”
Brawn was just one of those sharing messages of condolence following Whiting’s death, with the F1 paddock and others across the motorsport community taking to social media to express their loss.
Statement from Renault
Renault Sport Racing was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Charlie Whiting. Charlie was one of the pillars and leaders of the sport. His drive to ensure exciting, safe and fair racing was unparalleled and his passion will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. The sport will unite to continue his legacy, not just this weekend, but well into the future.
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FIA Statement:
FIA Director of Formula One, Charlie Whiting, has sadly passed away this morning (14 March 2019), in Melbourne, aged 66, as the result of a pulmonary embolism, three days before the Australian Grand Prix which will open the F1 season. He began his F1 career in 1977 working at the Hesketh team, then in the 1980s at Brabham. He has been an integral part of the organisation of the FIA Formula One World Championship since he joined the Federation in 1988, and has been the Race Director since 1997.
FIA President Jean Todt said: “It is with immense sadness that I learned of Charlie’s sudden passing. I have known Charlie Whiting for many years and he has been a great Race Director, a central and inimitable figure in Formula One who embodied the ethics and spirit of this fantastic sport. Formula 1 has lost a faithful friend and a charismatic ambassador in Charlie. All my thoughts, those of the FIA and entire motor sport community go out to his family, friends, and all Formula One lovers.”
https://www.fia.com/news/fia-statement-charlie-whiting
FIA Director of Formula One, Charlie Whiting, has sadly passed away this morning (14 March 2019), in Melbourne, aged 66, as the result of a pulmonary embolism, three days before the Australian Grand Prix which will open the F1 season. He began his F1 career in 1977 working at the Hesketh team, then in the 1980s at Brabham. He has been an integral part of the organisation of the FIA Formula One World Championship since he joined the Federation in 1988, and has been the Race Director since 1997.
FIA President Jean Todt said: “It is with immense sadness that I learned of Charlie’s sudden passing. I have known Charlie Whiting for many years and he has been a great Race Director, a central and inimitable figure in Formula One who embodied the ethics and spirit of this fantastic sport. Formula 1 has lost a faithful friend and a charismatic ambassador in Charlie. All my thoughts, those of the FIA and entire motor sport community go out to his family, friends, and all Formula One lovers.”
https://www.fia.com/news/fia-statement-charlie-whiting
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Sad and very big news. It's only a day before the season starts so you would hope there's a backup plan?
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flabbergasted. Such a sad news.
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Was certainly surprising, although for some reason I thought him older than 66? Anyway, may he now wave the flags for Clark, Senna, Fangio etc.
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Wow, that's shocking and sad. RIP Charlie.
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Wow, shocking. RIP Charlie.
66 is no age to go pass away.
66 is no age to go pass away.
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I thought he was older than 66 too. God he was still young to die like that. Hope he gets the tribute he deserves.
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Im sure he will get a one minute silence in tribute pre race.
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