Charlie Whiting

Charlie Whiting, 1952-2019

2019 F1 season

Posted on

| Written by and

Charlie Whiting, who passed away in Melbourne ahead of this weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix, was 66 years of age.

He began his Formula 1 career as a mechanic and rose to a unique position of authority in the sport. Whiting achieved this through a combination of utter unflappability, sheer dedication, unflagging commitment to the task, an in-depth understanding of the sport’s many facets, and an innate instinct for the sport’s many technicalities.

In addition, he was respected by all competitors – a rare achievement in a sport as political and complex as F1.

As race director, Whiting was responsible for running F1 race weekends, forming and implementing the sport’s rules, inspecting new grand prix venues and having overall responsibility for Formula 1 safety.

He rose to prominence through his connection to Bernie Ecclestone and, as occurred when Ecclestone left F1, the sport may find it requires more than one person to take on Whiting’s multi-faceted role.

Born in a village near Brands Hatch in 1952, a visit to the British Grand Prix at the track in 1964 turned Whiting on to F1. He honed his skills as a mechanic on a ferociously quick Ford Escort raced by his garage-owning brother Nick.

In 1976 Brands Hatch owner John Webb arranged for Nick to run a Surtees F1 car for Davina Galica. Whiting assisted, and used the experience as a springboard into F1 in 1977 as mechanic for Hesketh. But the team was on its last legs and folded a few races into the 1978 season. Whiting switched to Brabham, then owned by Ecclestone.

The team were already winning races with Alfa Romeo power but by 1980 they had switched to Cosworth DFVs and Whiting had risen from third mechanic on the spare car to number one on Nelson Piquet’s machine. Piquet ran Alan Jones’s Williams close for that year’s title, then delivered the crown the following year Piquet, and bagged a second title two years later with BMW turbo power.

However as Ecclestone’s focus turned away from Brabham and towards taking charge of the Formula 1 Constructors’ Association and ultimately F1’s commercial rights, he withdrew the team from F1 at the end of 1987. With Ecclestone’s support Whiting joined the FIA as technical delegate.

In 1997 Whiting took over from Roger Lane-Nott as F1 race director and safety director. He occupied the role for more than two decades, directing almost 400 races during a time that saw many changes in the sport at all levels: technical, sporting, political, commercial, and, of course, to driver and circuit safety.

Amongst the earliest advances introduced under Whiting’s watch was the Hans device, and the latest, the Halo – but there were many more such visible and unseen innovations. It would be no exaggeration to state that Whiting’s steadfast refusal to accept safety compromises despite the sometimes-dramatic effect on aesthetics made F1 an immensely safer sport.

Haas F1 driver Kevin Magnussen was one of many to pay tribute following Whiting’s death and comment on the special relationship he enjoyed with the drivers. “I don’t want to speak for everyone but I think I had the feeling that Charlie was someone that all the drivers kind of trusted, and could come to.

“He’s also very fair. You knew he was professional, and he was just very good at what he did. And most of all just a very nice and pleasant person. He’ll be missed by everyone.”

The news of his death on the Thursday stunned the paddock, and prompted an outpouring of sympathy from drivers, teams and F1 officials and commercial rights holder Liberty Media. RaceFans sends its heartfelt condolences to his family.

2019 F1 season

Browse all 2019 F1 season articles

11 comments on “Charlie Whiting, 1952-2019”

  1. This is just unbelievable news, a real shock. Whiting really was someone who was willing to listen and consider every opinion. Lot of times he disagreed, of course, but never without thoroughly explaining his own point of view. May he rest in peace…

  2. Nice article. But I think what was missed was his very dry and British sense of humor- a very witty man with a fast back comment lol

  3. Too early, just too early. Can’t think of many sports where the official adjudicator is as universally appreciated by competitors as Charlie Whiting was.

  4. There is going to be a vacuum he left behind which will be difficult to fill.

  5. I obviously knew who Charlie was, what he did and how well respected he was among drivers but I have to say those driver meetings that were posted on YouTube last year (I think) made me realise just how knowledgeable he was, and how his role is irreplaceable. Not only he had good arguments for most of the things discussed, but he seemed to be very open to discussion and suggestions. Kind of when Prof Sid Watkins left us, there’s going to be a hole impossible to be fulfilled, not just from a professional point of view. These guys made our sport. He’ll be missed

    1. +1 I also enjoyed the briefings he started doing on stewarding decisions. Let’s hope that spirit is continued.

  6. Was shocked last night to hear the news about Charly.
    A great guy and I think a very important individual in F1 not only because all of his functions and roles he played, but also because he was appreciated and respected by all teams. At the end his decisions were accepted by all. To have that personality and behavior is a rare thing. Who ever will take his role has big shoes to fill.

    Would be nice if all the teams pay their respect this weekend by painting their rear wing black or something like that. If everybody would do the same, we will always remember him and this Australian weekend when we see footage of the race in the future.

  7. Say his name and I know exactly who he is for the last 20 years or more but I doubt I have ever uttered his name in conversation. I am surprised that I actually felt like I lost a friend hearing of his passing. He was an icon and a part of motor racing as it was of him, I am sure.
    May his soul rest in perfect peace and I am also sure his loss will be felt beyond what anyone expected. just like me.

  8. Charlie was one of the few people in F1 who was respected universally, even if they didn’t see eye to him. It’ll take a long time to replace the knowledge he brought to the paddock, but no one will be able to replace his wit, sense of humour, and overall personality.

    Rest in peace, Charlie. He left us far too soon.

  9. What a loss to us all. They say the good die young. 66 is no age. So sad. RIP Charlie, bon voyage & thank you.

  10. Sad to see Charlie go may rest but in peace. Pretty disappointed with F1 no-news mentioning the New Zealand attacks and nothing has been said in this sport about ut.

Comments are closed.