Charlie Whiting

Biography

Charlie Whiting (August 12, 1952 – March 14, 2019) was a highly respected British motorsport official who served as Formula 1’s Race Director, Safety Delegate, and Technical Delegate. Born in Sevenoaks, England, Whiting began his motorsport career as a mechanic and engineer, initially working in rallying before moving to Formula 1 with Hesketh Racing in the 1970s. He later joined Brabham, where he played a key role in helping Nelson Piquet win two World Championships. In 1988, Whiting joined the FIA as Chief Technical Delegate, eventually becoming Race Director in 1997. Over the years, he became instrumental in enforcing and overseeing F1 regulations, leading efforts to improve driver safety and implementing new technologies and procedures to enhance racing fairness. Known for his calm and authoritative approach, Whiting was crucial in managing race operations and was a key figure in shaping modern Formula 1. Whiting passed away suddenly in 2019, shortly before the start of the Australian Grand Prix, leaving a legacy as one of F1's most influential and dedicated figures in race management and safety.