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F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => Topic started by: Calman on March 14, 2019, 06:10:45 AM

Title: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: Calman on March 14, 2019, 06:10:45 AM
Just heads about this in the last few hours.   A real shock, especially on the Eve of the F1 2019 Season Opener in Melbourne!!!

A very tough job, but he always seemed to be the best man to handle anything thrown at him and his colleagues.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/47564762

Best Regards,
Cal :)
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: Calman on March 14, 2019, 06:23:03 AM
Charlie, we salute you Sir!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCgOQwsc7Yw

Note:  Please don't watch the recent YouTube video connected to Charlie's passing, as I feel that's it's fairly disrespectful with it's heartless robotic voiceover, where half of the words aren't even pronounced properly!!!

Best Regards,
Cal :)
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: Alonsofan on March 14, 2019, 07:30:22 AM
That's sad news especially approaching a new season 😥
R.I.P Charlie
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: guest3164 on March 14, 2019, 08:36:32 AM
Sad news indeed.  My thoughts go to his family. 
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: Ian on March 14, 2019, 11:29:51 AM
Sad news, RIP Charlie.
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: Scott on March 14, 2019, 01:08:06 PM
An icon in F1..RIP Charlie
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: John S on March 14, 2019, 02:09:56 PM

R.I.P Charlie, we certainly do salute you for all your work for F1.

Condolences to all your family and close friends.

Everyone connected with F1 will miss you, Charlie. 
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: TimmyTime on March 14, 2019, 04:54:45 PM
Shocking and sad. Don't think one man could replace what he did.
R.I.P Charlie you will be missed
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: Jericoke on March 14, 2019, 06:41:51 PM
Modern F1 racing has a small number of people who had a huge hand in shaping it. Whiting is one of those people who made sure F1 became a popular safe sport, instead of the niche bloodsport it once was.

Millions of people owe their success in life to Charlie, and hundreds if not thousands of people owe their very lives to the work he's done.

Say what you will about any tough decisions he's made, he deserves a green flag at the pearly gates.
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: Calman on March 14, 2019, 06:46:54 PM
Say what you will about any tough decisions he's made, he deserves a green flag at the pearly gates.

Here! Here!!

I'm sure many drivers will quietly reflect on past radio messages directed at Charlie .. and may finally realise the pressures of the job and tough decisions he had to carry out!!

Best Regards,
Cal :)
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: cosworth151 on March 14, 2019, 08:55:12 PM
A sad note to start the season. He did a fine job for the sport for many years. He was one of the few folk at the top level of the F1 establishment who was above reproach. He leaves a very large hole at the top.

I met him briefly at the paddock entrance at the U.S.G.P. at Indy. He seemed quite happy to stop & talk with us fans gathered there. I took this pix that day:

https://www.gpwizard.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;pic=1043
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: Robem64 on March 15, 2019, 06:49:49 AM
I've come over for the Melbourne GP and it's a shock for all here too - no doubt there will be a minutes silence on Sunday for a lovely man by all accounts who did a difficult job. I expect this respectful moment to be very well observed and emotional.
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: Calman on March 15, 2019, 06:55:56 AM
I expect this respectful moment to be very well observed and emotional.
Very much so Rob!

I sincerely hope that EVERY driver gives the moment/minute silence, the upmost respect.

Best Regards,
Cal :)
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: Irisado on March 15, 2019, 11:04:06 PM
It is very sad news.  I was also very shocked by it.  He had such a thankless job in many ways, yet was dedicated to it and, in my opinion, was very good at it.  He is definitely going to be missed.
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: Alianora La Canta on March 18, 2019, 09:47:45 AM
I've argued with a few of Charlie's decisions, but he had an integral role into so many different aspects of the weekend. It will probably take 2-3 people to do what he did - and he did it with such charm too. He had the respect of every driver, even when they thought he was occasionally a bit harsh with them. He managed to get F1 out of a few major pickles (Korea 2010 anyone? He made sure the track existed by the time F1 arrived). Also, if not for him, there would be no Haas, for the team relied on his assistance to know how to prepare appropriately for their debut season and not repeat the mistakes of the 2010 entrants.

I'm sure every driver respected the minute's silence. Sadly Channel 4 didn't in their highlights show (they cut to ads partway through).
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: Calman on March 18, 2019, 05:02:48 PM
I'm sure every driver respected the minute's silence. Sadly Channel 4 didn't in their highlights show (they cut to ads partway through).
That's SHOCKING!!!

Yes indeed, Martin Brundle and a few others used the term "take 3 men to do his job" ... except, in this case, it's much closer to the truth, than an everyday phrase!!

Best Regards,
Cal :)
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: John S on March 18, 2019, 09:22:06 PM
I'm more shocked that there is no permanent deputy to take over at least part or most of the role. For an organisation so fanatical about safety where is the FIA's own succession plan for such an important player.  :o
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: Jericoke on March 19, 2019, 12:35:56 AM
I'm more shocked that there is no permanent deputy to take over at least part or most of the role. For an organisation so fanatical about safety where is the FIA's own succession plan for such an important player.  :o

Presumably a person (or three people) who could step right into Charlie's shoes would have other commitments and not be available on another continent with 6 hours' notice.

When someone is on the job as long as Charlie is, it's unlikely to have a protege ready to go, he's probably had several come and go when it became clear they'd be waiting 5 more years for a promotion.

It says a lot about Charlie that was he was never 'forced' out of his role in F1, like Bernie, Max or Ron.
Title: Re: RIP Charlie Whiting ...
Post by: Alianora La Canta on March 20, 2019, 07:40:47 PM
I'm more shocked that there is no permanent deputy to take over at least part or most of the role. For an organisation so fanatical about safety where is the FIA's own succession plan for such an important player.  :o

There was until the middle of 2016 (it was Herbie Blash). However, he then took a position as permanent head of marshal training; the heretofore lack of one was at that point about to become embarrassing, the FIA trusted practically nobody else for the job and Herbie (about the same age as Charlie) may well have quietly liked the idea of a slightly more relaxed lifestyle.

There was no obvious successor... ...so the FIA did something that I think was quite clever. They had each track pick a deputy from their own ranks, with a view to giving more opportunities to a wide variety of nations and perhaps help with getting Jean Todt re-elected. So there are 21 people who could have been called upon to step into Charlie's shoes at short notice, depending on which race happened to be the next one after he retired/died. It just so happened that Australia got the sad duty.

It also means that potentially, 21 people could become the permanent head. Mr Maisal did what, to my eye, was a fine job. I'd like to think that increases his chances of getting a key role, because he knows exactly what he's doing. However, the whole "it would take 3 people to do what Charlie does" element means the other 20 race deputies shouldn't give up hope yet. It's also possible a full decision might not be taken until the entire year has gone, so everyone gets a fair chance at "audition" and the FIA has time to split the roles appropriately (if that's the avenue it is going to take).
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