Charlie Whiting 1952 – 2019 | RUNNER

FIA Formula 1 Director Charlie Whiting died in Melbourne at the age of 66.

Whiting suffered a pulmonary embolism and died Thursday morning at the start of the Australian Grand Prix weekend, the FIA ​​announced in a statement. Whiting was an extremely recognizable face in the F1 paddock, being race director since 1997.

"It was with great sadness that I learned of Charlie's sudden death," said FIA President Jean Todt. "I've known Charlie Whiting for many years and he's a great race director, a central and inimitable figure in Formula 1 that embodies the ethics and spirit of this fantastic sport.

"Formula 1 has lost a faithful friend and a charismatic ambassador to Charlie. All my thoughts, those of the FIA ​​and the entire motor sport community go to his family, his friends and all Formula 1 lovers. "

Whiting's career in F1 started in 1977 with Hesketh, before settling in Brabham, then joining the FIA ​​in 1988. The Briton held several positions within the FIA, including those of safety delegate and chief technical department, which often made it the first to call for teams seeking clarification or

F1 Motorsport General Manager Ross Brawn worked with Whiting throughout his career and paid tribute to the man who was also in charge of starting every grand prize.

"I've known Charlie all my life in the race," Brawn said. "We worked together as mechanics, became friends and spent a lot of time together on race tracks around the world. I was filled with immense sadness when I heard the tragic news. I am devastated.

"It's a big loss not only for me personally, but also for the whole family of Formula 1, the FIA ​​and motor sport as a whole. All our thoughts are with his family.