Formula1.com has announced that its famous doctor Sid Watkins was stepping down from its FIA Institute President role.
Waktins, a former neurosurgeon, was in charge of the FIA Institute since 2004, the year he stopped acting as Formula One’s medical delegate. His career with the sport spans of five decades.
"It has been an honour and a great pleasure to lead the Institute since its establishment," said Watkins. "I am very proud of our achievements our plans for the future […]. I look forward to continue making a modest contribution in my new capacity as Honorary President."
Sid Watkins was vital to F1's safety push at the end of the '80's. Bernie Ecclestone himself recruited Watkins to act as a doctor at the track, back in the days when medical crew weren't standard. He quickly became very efficient in his role, and very popular amongst the drivers.
He most notably became friend with Ayrton Senna, and even try to get the Brazilian to retire on the eve of his death. He was also the one who had to pull the plug on Gilles Villeneuve's artificial respiratory systems when all hopes to bring the Canadian back failed, in the aftermath of the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix.
Waktins, a former neurosurgeon, was in charge of the FIA Institute since 2004, the year he stopped acting as Formula One’s medical delegate. His career with the sport spans of five decades.
"It has been an honour and a great pleasure to lead the Institute since its establishment," said Watkins. "I am very proud of our achievements our plans for the future […]. I look forward to continue making a modest contribution in my new capacity as Honorary President."
Sid Watkins was vital to F1's safety push at the end of the '80's. Bernie Ecclestone himself recruited Watkins to act as a doctor at the track, back in the days when medical crew weren't standard. He quickly became very efficient in his role, and very popular amongst the drivers.
He most notably became friend with Ayrton Senna, and even try to get the Brazilian to retire on the eve of his death. He was also the one who had to pull the plug on Gilles Villeneuve's artificial respiratory systems when all hopes to bring the Canadian back failed, in the aftermath of the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix.