Photo: Zak Mauger / GP3 Series Media Service
Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting, whose work with the FIA extended into junior single-seaters, has died aged 66.
An FIA statement said that Whiting passed away on Wednesday morning in Melbourne following a pulmonary embolism, just days before the Australian Grand Prix.
First entering F1 as a mechanic, most successfully with Bernie Ecclestone?s Brabham team, Whiting joined the FIA in 1988 and had been F1 race director since 1997.
His work also covered the F1 support series, increasingly so as GP2 became FIA Formula 2 in 2017 and GP3 was succeeded by FIA Formula 3 for 2019.
As director of the FIA single-seater department, Whiting had a say in technical regulations and safety advancements in championships around the world.
He had also long been heavily involved in the Macau Grand Prix, serving as the event?s race director.
A statement from the organiser of the FIA F2 and F3 championships read: ?We are filled with sadness today at the news of the passing of FIA Director of Formula One Charlie Whiting.
?Charlie, whose role and importance in Formula One was undisputed, was one of the most respected and beloved names of the sport, but he was also instrumental in the success of the junior categories.
?In the latest years, he was hugely influential in the process of building a clear ladder in single-seaters series. He helped shape motorsport as we know it today.
?Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
?Thank you Charlie. You will be greatly missed.?
We are so saddened to hear the news that Charlie Whiting has passed away. He was a giant of the sport, a voice of reason in the junior categories as well as F1. Our sincere condolences go out to his colleagues, friends and young family at this terribly sad time.
— Carlin (@CarlinRacing) March 14, 2019