Charlie Whiting has died. :(

Holy moly. Only just saw this. Absolutely shocked. What a time to happen too. I wonder who will take over at such short notice? I don't know who the second in command is.

ci_newman said:
A blood clot / embolism can happen to anyone on long-haul flights, regardless of fitness :(
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This was my first thought, especially with the race being in Oz.
 
RIP, totally took me by surprise this morning.

He's been race director for over 20 years, everyone else in the paddock has switched roles or fallen to the way side. Going to be very strange seeing someone else take his position.

By all accounts he was the most generous person with his time and demeanour too :(
 
RIP he was a cornerstone in the modern sport really. Sad loss and thoughts go out to his family and the wider Motorsport family.

On our part it's usual to have RIP threads in GD but it's more fitting for it to be here imo.
 
R.I.P.

-westy- said:
There are a lot of different ways to manage/mitigate DVT symptoms. Compression socks, medication, appropriate exercises/movement on the plane etc.
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https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pulmonary-embolism/

Do:
  • sit comfortably in your seat and lie back as much as possible
  • wear loose-fitting clothing
  • make sure you have plenty of leg room
  • drink water regularly
  • take regular breaks from sitting
  • bend and straighten legs, feet and toes every 30 minutes while seated
  • press the balls of your feet down hard against the floor every so often
  • wear flight socks
Don't:
  • do not sit for long periods without moving
  • do not drink alcohol
  • do not drink too much coffee and other caffeine-based drinks
  • do not take sleeping pills
 
Extract from the press conference.

We’re gathered under very sad circumstances, following the news that Charlie Whiting, the FIA’s Director of Formula One died during the early hours of this morning. I’d like to start this press conference by asking each of the drivers present for their thoughts and memories of Charlie. Lewis, could we start with you, please?

Lewis HAMILTON: I’ve known Charlie since I started in 2007. I made some comments this morning on my Instagram. It may have not worked, as I think it’s down but obviously incredibly shocked this morning to hear the sad news and my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. What he did for this sport, I mean, his commitment… he really was a pillar, as Toto said, such an iconic figure in the sporting world and he contributed so much for us, so may he rest in peace.

Q: Sebastian?

Sebastian VETTEL: Well I guess I was as shocked as we all are still now, when I head the news this morning, especially because I spoke to him yesterday and walked the track for the first couple of corners together with him. Difficult to grasp when somebody is just not there anymore. To add to what Lewis said. I’ve known him for a long time and he’s sort of been our man, the driver’s man. Obviously there are regulations and all that and then there is us and he was the middleman. He was someone you could ask anything of, anytime. He was open to everyone at any time. His door was always open. He was a racer. He was just a very nice guy. Shocked. I don’t think there’s that much to add. I think all our thoughts, the whole paddock, the whole circus, the whole family of Formula One; all our thoughts are with him and especially with his family in these difficult circumstances.

Q: And Robert?

Robert KUBICA: Well, as Seb says, and Lewis, it’s a hard moment. I saw Sebastian walking with Charlie yesterday and I thought I would not interrupt them because I would see him on Friday at the Drivers’ Briefing. Unfortunately this will not be the case. It’s very sad. He was kind of an icon of Formula One. He was, as Sebastian said, a racer, but also keeping up everything in the regulations. He was really the kind of a person you could always trust and commit. A very sad moment. My thoughts are with his family, but that’s how it is unfortunately.

Q: And Max, please?

Max Verstappen: I think as everybody said, I think it was a big shock, also 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 at the time, I was like “see you in Australia for another season of racing” and when you hear this news it‘s just unbelievable – just 66 years old. 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 One but there are a lot of other things in life and this is just one part of it. And yeah, I think at the moment what is most important is that the thoughts are going to his family and friend and close ones.

Q: And Daniel?

Daniel RICCIARDO: I echo everything. Not the nicest news to walk into. Taken aback by it, for sure. I’ll try to make it slightly more positive. As Seb said, he was there for us, and we gave him a hard time. We would really press him and push him and make him work, but he was always really receptive and you always felt like he was on our side. I guess we were like a broken record with a lot of the things we would complain about but he never really shut it down. He was always ears open. I think he did a lot for the sport. We’ll have some very nice and positive memories of him. I remember my first Aussie GP, in 2012, going up. I remember we were with Franz and he goes “go and introduce yourself to Charlie; it’s the start of a new season” and start the relationship on a good news. Time goes fast, but as Max touched on, it’s important just to appreciate it, each moment. You do take it for granted. I’m sure we’ll all race with a lot of passion this weekend and it’s just a reminder as well that we are all very lucky to be in this position.
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FIA Stewards have have put the official notification of a change of race director too.

Appendix 1, Part B of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations for this Event (“Sporting Regulations”), specifies that Mr Charlie Whiting shall be the Race Director, the Safety Delegate and the Permanent Starter.
In accordance with Article 11.9.3b of the FIA International Sporting Code, the Sporting Regulations shall hereby be amended to reflect Mr Michael Masi as the Race Director, Safety Delegate and Permanent Starter for this Event.
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He's a former Deputy Race Director for Australian Supercars and had worked alongside Chalie for a few races last year. Seems he was being lined up for the job. Well, we'll see how he gets on as he's been dropped in at the4 deep end.
 
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