F1 race director Charlie Whiting passes away

Charlie Whiting, F1 race director passed away in Melbourne just days before the first race of the 2019 season. According to media reports, Whiting died from a pulmonary embolism. He was 66.

Charlie Whiting had been the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) race director since 1997. He began his career with the Hesketh team back in 1977. He moved to Brabham in the 1980s. Whiting joined the FIA in 1988 as technical delegate to Formula 1. 

Whiting is known to be the driving force behind promoting safety in F1. He supported the introduction of the halo cockpit protection device that was designed to protect the driver's head in case of an accident.