Formula 1-stars in shock: - He was the drivers ' man

MELBOURNE (Ekstra Bladet): the Formula 1 world was Thursday up to a news that has shaken both the drivers, teams, and all with a life in motor sport's finest class.

on Wednesday prepared race director Charlie Whiting this weekend's contest, as he has done since 1997. The next morning woke up the amiable briton never.

He was dead of a blood clot in the lung, 66 years old.

Tv viewers knew Whiting as all others - by his first name.

There have not been run a race without someone over the radio in connection with a controversial situation have said:

- Talk with Charlie.

As Formula 1's race director and he was, among other things, security, race control and missed the judges ' work. The drivers all had a personal relationship with him through Friday's kørerbriefing, which was also one of the tasks.

Kevin Magnussen was like all the other appalled by the news.

- He was the drivers ' man. All drivers went to Charlie, when we had a problem. He was always open to speak with and first and foremost, a friendly man

- He has done so much for Formula 1, and helped to create what the sport is today. He was truly professional, competent, and we will all miss him.

With his frequent visits to the F1's judges have the Danish racing driver often had alenetid with Charlie Whiting subsequently, in order to understand what exactly had triggered the call.

- I have often gone to him to try to understand the rules, says Kevin Magnussen for the Extra Leaf and explains how he is often gone from the to disagree with a punishment to accept it.

- One can argue that a punishment is too harsh or unfair, but then you have not done your job properly (if you get a penalty). Therefore, I felt that my responsibility was to go up to talk with Charlie, when I did not understand the punishment I had received. To find out what triggered it, and what I could do differently, he says.

Who has Charlie been super to take the time to explain and discuss with me. Also to be open-minded enough to listen to my point of view and take it under consideration. He was just a superprofessionel and superbehagelig guy. A real racer who loves the sport, says Magnussen.

Charlie Whiting and Nico Hulkenberg had a good chat before the belgian grandprix last year. Photo: Jan Sommer

Haas-team manager Günther Steiner was just so shaken:

- It is very sad moment, and I was very emotional when I heard it. First thought was that it may not be true. Charlie was a very big part of this sport. He was always polite and never had anything bad to say about people, which is fantastic for a man in his job. Condolences to his family, for he was too young.

- I will call him a friend of Haas. Without charlie's help and advice five years ago, about how we did things, we would not be here. I have great respect for him. You realize how quickly it can be over. Yesterday he was around us in a good mood, and today he is no longer. We shall always remember him as one of the great in the sport, says Steiner.

Charlie Whiting (1952-2019)

- Was a part of Formula 1 since 1977, where he worked as a mechanic for Hesketh. Then he moved to Brabham in the 1980s - under a certain Bernie Ecclestone.

He was employed by the international motorsportsforbund, the FIA, in 1988, and has been called a ‘Race Director’ for the Formula 1 since 1997.

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Carlos Sainz, McLaren:
- I can remember my rookieår, where he spent much time with me. He was very attentive. And it surprised me, for I thought, that my opinion did not speak, when I was new in Formula 1. But he gave me a chance from the start and asked for my opinion, even though I was only 20 years.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
- I have known Charlie, since I started in 2007. What he has done for this sport. He was a mainstay and an iconic person in the world of sports.

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari:
- I was shocked as everyone else when I heard the news. Especially because I spoke with him yesterday and went the first few turns on the track along with him. I have known him long, and he was always the drivers ' man. There are rules, there is us, and he was the middleman.

Formula 1 - 14. mar. 2019 - at. 02:29 Tragic start to the F1 season: the race director's death
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