Along with Herbie Blash, the deputy race director who stepped down from his role with the FIA at the end of 2016, Charlie Whiting was one of the old guard, forever linked with former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, for whom they had both worked when he owned Brabham.

88-year-old Ecclestone received news of his friend's death late last night in a phone call from FIA president, Jean Todt.

"It's a big, big, big loss to Formula One," Ecclestone told Reuters. "He kept things on the road and kept the FIA pretty well straight because he'd look after the rules and everything else.

"People talk about him as a race director but that was a small part of all the things he did," he added. "(He was) a talented guy who loved doing what he wanted to do.

"Two or three of the top, top teams tried to get him to be their team manager but he thought he could do a lot better for everyone doing what he did."

Remembered by Sebastian Vettel as the "our man, the driver's man", and by Daniel Ricciardo as being "on our side", Ecclestone said: "He'd seen it, heard it and done it all.

"He did it as a one-man job. It's finding this person who can do what Charlie did. If you've got three or four people doing what he did, it just doesn't work.

"Nobody really knew what Charlie was or what he did. He did so many things, and nobody really knew and they'd be surprised if they knew the things he did do."

In concluding Ecclestone admitted that he took some comfort from the fact his friend went quietly in his sleep and didn't feel any pain.

"He went to bed and didn't get up in the morning. Which is as good as it gets if you've got to leave us," he said. "When I have to go I hope I go the same way."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by francisn, 14/03/2019 22:28

"Article 38 of the Sporting regs are the relevant part.

38.1 The race director may report any on‐track incident or suspected breach of these Sporting Regulations or the Code (an “Incident”) to the stewards. After review it shall be at the discretion of the stewards to decide whether or not to proceed with an investigation.
The stewards may also investigate an Incident noted by themselves. "

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2. Posted by francisn, 14/03/2019 22:21

"The Stewards are responsible the the race director but that doesn't mean he is part of their decisions or overrides them"

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3. Posted by francisn, 14/03/2019 22:17

"Charlie took the decisions about racing when it was wet etc, but not about penalties for misdemeanours. That is and always has been the responsibility of the stewards, not the race director

"

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4. Posted by GarH, 14/03/2019 22:17

"Read the rules

https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/inside-f1/rules-regs/Officials.html

"

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5. Posted by francisn, 14/03/2019 22:14

"Sorry GarH - you are wrong. Yes drivers "asked Charlie" but he would refer it to the stewards who would take the decision which was independent of Charlie."

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6. Posted by GarH, 14/03/2019 22:06

"@francisn

Whiting 'advised' the stewards. Never heard the phrase during a race "We're asking Charlie about that now"? Whiting was involved in every decision before, during and after races."

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7. Posted by stackvideo, 14/03/2019 21:56

"I think the starting platform should now be known as "The Charlie Whiting Stand""

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8. Posted by francisn, 14/03/2019 21:54

"Apologies Oldbuzzrd, didn't read your post properly. I accept you realise it is an FIA appointment"

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9. Posted by francisn, 14/03/2019 21:52

"Oldbuzzard

Charlie was an FIA appointment - not Liberty Media. It is an FIA racing post, not Liberty Media who have fteh commercial rights. So look to Jean Todt."

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10. Posted by francisn, 14/03/2019 21:50

"GarH - what a load of rubbish. You obviously have no idea. It was not down to Charlie to black flag Vettel, that is down to the stewards."

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11. Posted by francisn, 14/03/2019 21:47

"Charlie's passing is so sad. I had the honour to shake his hand at Silverstone some years ago and he found time to stop and say hello the fans. As well as by the drivers, he was respected and honoured by the fans for his integrity and he always got a standing ovation as he drove the track to inspect the marshalls in advance of each track session.

Charlie will be really missed and will be very hard to replace. Sadly another part of the real F1 departs.

RIP Charlie - we salute you."

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12. Posted by GarH, 14/03/2019 21:46

"Whoever replaces Whiting should not be allowed the power that he was given. For several years, forum posters around the world have been screaming for him to be sacked because he made rules that were without a doubt, stupid. The last change he bought in, stopping driver/team radio communication caused the largest uproar and had to be reversed within weeks. Last year, he should have black flagged Vettel for his deliberate move on Hamilton.

At the moment, we're hearing a lot of good things about Whiting. I don't expect that to last.
"

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13. Posted by Oldbuzzard, 14/03/2019 20:47

"The FIA will struggle to replace Charlie, or should I say try to replace him. Just as it has taken a small army of Liberty neophytes to try and replicate what BE did almost alone, replacing Charlie Whiting will be a huge task. He did so much more than push the start-the-race button at the GPs. He knew the rule book inside and out, because he wrote most of it. He did more in his lifetime than most mortals could do in three or four. Sunday's start in Melbourne will charged with emotion for the entire F1 family, especially the drivers. Knowing that it's not Charlie pushing the button, they will be full of anxiety and sorrow. So will I. RIP my friend, you left us way too soon. "

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14. Posted by Batman, 14/03/2019 19:31

"For the insiders, F1 is just about money and prestige. Once you get both, nothing else matters. No one matters anymore. I really hope that Charles Whiting dedication to safety and to the sport side of F1 could overrule that and be treated as someone who really mattered. Dont know no one in a abetter position to assure that than Bernie Ecclesctone."

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F1 will struggle to replace Whiting, warns Ecclestone

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