RIP Charlie Whiting

[Belegur]

Apparently, FIA race director Charlie Whiting has died suddenly, age 66

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/14208 ... iting-dies.

Hell of a start to the Australian Grand Prix. 66 is far too early to go these days.

[Londoner]

Blimey. I'm surprised he was only 66, it seemed like he'd been there since the beginning of time itself. The F1 paddock's going to be a strange and poorer place without Charlie.

RIP.

[FortiWinks]

Massive shock all round, we’ll miss you Charlie

[Paul Hayes]

Very sad to hear about Whiting's sudden death. I know he had his critics on occasion, but I think overall in all his years as Race Director he was a very positive influence on the sport.

[dr-baker]

This is a massive shock for the sport. My Twitter feed this morning was full of news of his passing. So many members of the paddock and beyond wished to pay their respects. Nobody has a bad thing to say about him. He even seemed to approve of the Fake Charlie Whiting Twitter account. A quality guy.

[golic_2004]

Unbelievable. My condolences to his family at this sudden passing.

[eagleash]

It's a very sad loss for F1; always came across as a good man. Big shoes to fill for someone and less than 48 hours to make sure all his well-performed roles are adequately covered.

RIP Charlie, maybe some fishing with Sid and Ayrton?

[Dom_Wings]

Massive loss to the F1 community. I guess it's time to see who will be the chosen one to succeed such a name as the Race Director.

Godspeed, Charlie.

[mario]

Very sad to hear about Whiting's sudden death. I know he had his critics on occasion, but I think overall in all his years as Race Director he was a very positive influence on the sport.

It is one of those roles where you're going to be taking a lot of flack, since having to issue penalties is likely to antagonise somebody and you are in a role where people will be lobbying you to take harsher or more lenient action towards somebody else.

What is touching to hear are the personal stories too, particularly as it sounds as if he was a figure who was rather amicable and open with people - there have been fans who have talked about how he spared time to talk to them and give them feedback, or those first entering the paddock who found Whiting was willing to help out and introduce them to people. Even if there might have been a few clashes along the way, it sounds as if many of those in the paddock still had considerable affection for him.

[Enforcer]

RIP. Terrible to hear.

Not a man that can be replaced easily either.

[Rob Dylan]

Read about this and was likewise surprised at how comparatively young he seemed at 66. He's been around throughout my whole lifetime, and he was almost integral to a race weekend. I do pity the person who has to step into his shoes, after the wonderful impact Charlie has had on the sport.

My condolences to his family, and all the people - there will be many - who knew him fondly.

[ibsey]

He was also a talented race mechanic hence why he worked his way up to chief mechanic at Brabham before becoming the FIA's technical delegate. RIP.