A technician who became a pillar of F1
Charlie Whiting, British born August 12, 1952 in Sevenoaks (Kent), began his career in motorsport as a mechanic, notably with the Hesketh Racing team in 1977, then at Brabham, where he notably worked with drivers such as Nelson Piquet.
Recruited by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in 1988 as a technical delegate, he rose through the ranks to become race director, safety delegate and permanent starter in F1 Grands Prix from 1997.
He was recognized not only for his technical expertise (regulations, car checks, procedures) but also for his reassuring presence in the often tense world of F1.
Circumstances of death
While in Melbourne, Australia, at the start of the 2019 F1 season, Charlie Whiting suffered a pulmonary embolism on March 14. His sudden disappearance plunged the paddock into astonishment, as he was considered a stable and central figure in the discipline.
Charlie Whiting’s legacy
His role went well beyond the simple application of regulations
- he worked to improve safety on the track, both on the circuits and on the cars (survival cells, anti-impact devices, etc.).
- he played a respected interlocutor of the pilots, attentive, renowned for his fairness.
- many in F1 have called him a “pillar of the sport”.
His death was followed by numerous tributes: moments of silence before races, statements from drivers and teams, and recognition of the legacy he leaves. F1 loses one of its great servants, the one who watched over the safety and regularity of the Grands Prix, while cultivating great humanity. Through his work, Charlie Whiting has helped make F1 a safer and more respected sport. His absence leaves a void, but the trace of his commitment will remain lasting.
