Charlie Whiting, a familiar face around the paddock, has passed away suddenly last night, at the young age of just 66. The news has sent shockwaves throughout the paddock and the world of motorsports.
In the role of race director, Charlie was vital in the daily happenings of Formula 1. Not only did he start the Formula 1 races, Charlie was also the judge, the jury and the executioner. Everyone respected him and his decisions. But Charlie's racing career didn't start there, it actually started in 1977 when he joined the Hesketh Team. Form there he went on to Brabham in the 1980s before joining the FIA Formula 1 World Championship Federation in 1988. He was then appointed the role of Race Director in 1997.
Many people from the F1 Paddock have spoken out about Charlie:
Sebastian Vettel stated, “I was as shocked as we all are, still now, when I heard the news this morning, especially because I spoke to him yesterday and walked the track for the first couple of corners together with him. It’s difficult to grasp when somebody’s just not there anymore. I’ve known him for a long time and he was sort of our man, our drivers’ man. Obviously there’s regulations and all that and then there’s us and he was the middle man. He was someone you could ask anything, at any time. He was open to everyone, any time his door was always open." He continued with, “He was a racer, he was just a very nice guy… The whole paddock, the whole circus, the whole family of Formula 1, all our thoughts are with him and especially his family in these difficult circumstances.”
Max Verstappen also had this to say, “Of course it was a big shock, especially because I spent the day with him in Geneva a few weeks ago and we had a good chat, just about a lot of things. When I left I said see you in Australia for another season of racing and of course when you hear this news, it’s unbelievable. Just 66 years old, so I guess we just have to appreciate every day and every morning you wake up, and that you enjoy life and that it’s not only about Formula 1 but about a lot of other things in life – this is just one part of it. I think at the moment, what is the most important is that thoughts are going to family and friends and close ones.”
Toto Wolff said, “I was shocked and saddened to hear the news of Charlie's passing this morning. He was a pillar of our Formula One family – balanced in his approach, subtle in his understanding and always with the interests of Formula One as his main focus. Charlie was a fantastic ambassador for our sport and a true guardian of its best interests; all of us who were lucky enough to know him will miss his ready smile and gentle humour. On behalf of the entire Mercedes motorsport family, I send our deepest sympathies to Charlie’s family and friends.”
Charlie Whiting was at the heart of Formula 1 and will definitely be missed.
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