With barely 24 hours left until the Australian GP weekend can kick off, tragedy struck the paddock. Long-time F1 Race Director, Charlie Whiting suddenly passed away due to a Pulmonary Embolism. For the uninitiated, a pulmonary embolism is when an artery develops a clot and it could be fatal.
Following the news, tributes poured in from around the F1 paddock and even a few drivers outside the sport. Here is how Twitter reacted to the shocking news of his passing at the age of 66.
We are filled with immense shock and sadness at the news of Charlie Whiting's passing.
He will be remembered as a giant of the sport, as well as a dear friend to so many.
Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with his friends and family.https://t.co/36pAcjjZOy
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 14, 2019
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
It is with immense sadness that I learned of Charlie Whiting’s passing. He was a central & inimitable figure who embodied the ethics & spirit of motor sport. @F1 has lost a faithful friend & a charismatic ambassador. All my thoughts & those of @FIA go out to his family & friends pic.twitter.com/RhCR1M5rJL
— Jean Todt (@JeanTodt) March 14, 2019
All at McLaren are shocked and deeply saddened at the news of Charlie Whiting's passing. Charlie will be remembered as one of the giants of our sport, as well as a great colleague. Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with all of his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/DmrSZAT4Cc
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 14, 2019
"SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team is deeply saddened by the news of Charlie Whiting’s sudden passing. Formula 1 has lost a great Race Director and a true gentleman, he will be deeply missed."
— SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team (@RacingPointF1) March 14, 2019
We are terribly saddened to hear of Charlie Whiting's passing. Charlie was a true legend of the sport and will be greatly missed. Everyone's thoughts at Williams are with his family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/rWBjYuank9
— ROKiT WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) March 14, 2019
We are shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Charlie Whiting. Charlie was one of the pillars and leaders of the sport. His drive to ensure exciting, safe and fair racing was unparalleled and his passion will be sorely missed.
[1/2]— Renault F1 Team (@RenaultF1Team) March 14, 2019
We are shocked and saddened to hear of Charlie Whiting’s passing and our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues. pic.twitter.com/gRDunCfb72
— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) March 14, 2019
We are deeply saddened to hear of our friend Charlie Whiting’s passing.
We send our condolences to his family at this difficult time. The entire motorsport community is in mourning. https://t.co/VlnvFVMxkh
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) March 14, 2019
The entire motorsport community has suffered a huge loss today and is left behind with fond memories of one of the most fantastic figures in the history of our sport. Our sincerest condolences go out to Charlie Whiting’s family, friends and colleagues. #Formula1 pic.twitter.com/SUIrqu7NTx
— Alfa Romeo Racing (@alfaromeoracing) March 14, 2019
Scuderia Toro Rosso is deeply saddened to hear the news Charlie Whiting, FIA Director of Formula One, has passed away.
The team sends its condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time. Charlie will be sorely missed by many in the Motorsport community
— Toro Rosso (@ToroRosso) March 14, 2019
Everyone at Scuderia Ferrari is deeply saddened to hear that Charlie Whiting has passed away.
Comment from Team Principal Mattia Binotto https://t.co/fQxAxjuGmt
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 14, 2019
‘He contributed so much to us, may he rest in peace.’ 💬 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/9ioQNsbwjg
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) March 14, 2019
I’m deeply saddened to hear the news of Charlie Whiting's passing. Such a huge figure in the world of motorsport. All of my thoughts are with his family and his many friends right now. We’ll all miss him very much. https://t.co/yX8RqMixvF
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) March 14, 2019
Very sad and surreal news ahead the Australian GP. Can’t believe it..
My thoughts are with the family and friends.
He’s done so much for the sport we love.Rest in peace Charlie#VB77 https://t.co/7N3GqTz8ec
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) March 14, 2019
Horrible news from Melbourne. All my thoughts goes to Charlie's family.
The motorsport world will miss you.
R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/zrKIpChFFA— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) March 14, 2019
Very sad and shocked to hear Charlie passed away. Thank you for always looking out for us, F1 will not be the same without you. RIP Charlie 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/EzD6q0xmPu
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) March 14, 2019
The whole motorsport family will miss you. Thanks for everything you did Charlie! R.I.P 🙏 pic.twitter.com/UUm4diOoZE
— PIERRE GASLY 🇫🇷 (@PierreGASLY) March 14, 2019
my thoughts are with the family and friends. R.I.P. Charlie.. we‘ll miss you! pic.twitter.com/78Q2aBwSLL
— Nico Hülkenberg (@HulkHulkenberg) March 14, 2019
Very sad news today with the passing of Charlie. He was a true @F1 lover and key figure of our sport. I'll miss meeting and talking to him at races. He was always listening to the drivers and looking after our safety. He will be greatly missed.
All my thoughts to his family 🙏 pic.twitter.com/lflW2fhYiM— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) March 14, 2019
Deeply saddened about Charlie’s passing. I always enjoyed a racing discussion with one of the most outstanding professionals in our sport. He will be very missed. All my sympathies with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/OXUVESdgnc
— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) March 14, 2019
I think everyone is the paddock is gonna miss Charlie. Very sad news to all of us. Thoughts to his family and friends. Thanks for all you’ve done for our sport… #RestInPeace https://t.co/q95mwmBZYz
— Lando Norris (@LandoNorris) March 14, 2019
Adiós a una gran persona, un hombre que fue un amigo y una guía en el paddock. Se le va a extrañar al gran Charlie Whiting. Mis pensamientos y oraciones están con toda su familia. ¡Descansa en Paz, Charlie! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ezhHcjydjv
— Sergio Pérez (@SChecoPerez) March 14, 2019
"He was a great man, he did an amazing job for F1 over the years"
Kimi pays tribute to Charlie Whiting#AusGP 🇦🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/BCosEiw1aW
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 14, 2019
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
via Imago
Haas F1 paid tribute even further for the late Whiting
1/2 A tribute to Charlie Whiting from Ross Brawn: “I have known Charlie for all of my racing life. We worked as mechanics together, became friends
and spent so much time together at race tracks across the world. I was filled with immense sadness when I heard the tragic news" cont— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) March 14, 2019
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
2/2 Ross Brawn: "I’m devastated. It is a great loss not only for me personally but also the entire Formula 1 family, the FIA and motorsport as a whole. All our thoughts go out to his family.”
— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) March 14, 2019
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
