Charlie Whiting, FIA Director of Formula One, has sadly passed away this morning (14th of March 2019) in Melbourne, the day before the opening of the Formula 1 season. Charlie Whiting passed away at age 66 as a result of a pulmonary embolism.
Charlie began his career in Formula One over 40 years ago working at the Hesketh team,Β before moving to Brabham in the 1980’s. Charlie has been vital to the FIA and to Formula One since he joined in 1988 and has been the Race Director for over 20 years.
FIA President Jean Todt said:
βIt is with immense sadness that I learned of Charlieβs sudden passing. I have known Charlie Whiting for many years and he has been a great Race Director, a central and inimitable figure in Formula One who embodied the ethics and spirit of this fantastic sport. Formula 1 has lost a faithful friend and a charismatic ambassador in Charlie. All my thoughts, those of the FIA and entire motor sport community go out to his family, friends, and all Formula One lovers.β
Ross Brawn, Managing Director, Motorsports, Formula 1 said:
βI have known Charlie for all of my racing life. We worked as mechanics together, became friends and spent so much time together at race tracks across the world. I was filled with immense sadness when I heard the tragic news. Iβm devastated. It is a great loss not only for mepersonally but also the entire Formula 1 family, the FIA and motorsport as a whole. All our thoughts go out to his family.β
The entire team at Talking Torque would like to pay our respects to Charlie and his family and send our deepest condolences to Charlie’s family and friends.
