Charlie Whiting has died. :(

[MissChief]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/47564762

And on the eve of the first GP of the season too. RIP Charlie.

This leaves a big, big hole for the FIA and FOM to fill. Perhaps something Paddy Lowe could do? He has time and it's not like Williams had a vast array of secrets that everyone else wanted to copy.

 

[Psycho Ned]

Crikey shocking news. Seems to have been doing that job forever.

I presume there is contingency in place for a race weekend if they lose the race director for whatever reason.

RIP Charlie.

 

[MarcLister]

Such a shock. Only 66! He's been a part of F1 for as long as I can remember.

RIP Charlie.

 

[Flibster]

Damn! Charlie was in F1 longer than I was alive (just). He'll be tricky for FIA to replace, he know everyone and a lot of the tricks and his technical knowledge was pretty spot on.

Embolism shortly after a very long flight to Australia...

As for his replacement this weekend. Well, the Deputy Race Director joined Ferrari last year. Not sure if they've replaced him.

R.I.P. Charlie.


[edit] Yup, they replaced the chap who joined Ferrari. He's in Australia and likely will be replacing Charlie this weekend. Only been in the role for 8 months. https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotelkins

 

[Django x2]

This is really sad.

 

[Shoeyuk]

only 66

 

[ThestigGT999]

RIP

 

[robfosters]

Very sad indeed. Do they not give out compression stockings on long flights?

 

[godinman]

RIP, horrible news.

 

[ci_newman]

RIP

 

[Ree]

rip

 

[el_dazza]

Jesus RIP, very respected man in the F1 paddock.

 

[Yaayuh!]

RIP
Didn’t see that coming. Just before the season kick off too

F1 will not be the same.

 

[craigyhay]

RIP

 

[JBeck]

Just heard this on the way to work, how terribly sad

RIP Charlie.

 

[Terminal_Boy]

Sad news indeed. A very big pair of shoes for F1 to fill.

 

[Locky]

66 no age and he looked fit and well...

 

[ci_newman]

66 no age and he looked fit and well...

A blood clot / embolism can happen to anyone on long-haul flights, regardless of fitness

 

[GravyMonster]

Heard this on the radio this morning, I'm still in shock. Totally unexpected. I feel for his family. RIP Charlie.

 

[Deleted member 651465]

Sad news, made worse by the thought that he potentially died travelling halfway across the world away from his family

The BBC have a nice write up of him and his role in F1 which I’d encourage everyone to read. In particular this which demonstrates his more mischievous side.

Whilst working for Brabham..

This writer joked to Whiting that I'd just seen "that illegal 1981 Brabham that took pole at Monaco". He replied with a cheeky smile: "No, you haven't. You've just seen the perfectly legal one that ran later on."

RIP