Sid Watkins- A tribute

Sid Watkins, OBE, FRCS served twenty-six years as the FIA Formula One Safety and Medical Delegate, head of the Formula One on-track medical team, and first responder in case of a crash. He was known within the F1 community as Professor Sid or simply 'Prof'.

After the tragic death of Ronnie Peterson at the 1978 Italian Grand Prix, Watkins demanded that Ecclestone provide better safety equipment, an anaesthetist, a medical car and a medical helicopter....all were provided, additionally the safety car containing Watkins would follow the racing cars for the first lap of the race in order to provide immediate help in the event of a first lap incident.

At the British Grand Prix in 1985, Watkins received a silver trophy during the drivers briefing. The trophy reads; "To the Prof, our thanks for your invaluable contribution to Formula 1. Nice to know you're there"
Two years later following a crash in practice at San Marino, Nelson Piquet was declared unfit to race by Watkins. Piquet tried to persuade officials to let him race as he didn't want to lose points in the championship. Watkins response was if Piquet raced he'd resign. Officials supported Watkins, Piquet didn't race.......Piquet would go on to win the championship, later admitting that not racing was the correct decision

Watkins founded the Brain and Spine Foundation in 1992, a charity that aims to improve "the prevention, treatment and care of people affected by disorders of the brain and spine". He was a Patron of the foundation

At the 1994 San Marino GP, he saved Rubens Barrichello's life, following a crash in practice. Sadly Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna died later in the racing weekend.
Following the race, the FIA Expert Advisory Safety Committee was set and Watkins was appointed as its chairman. There has not been a driver fatality in Formula 1 ever since.

In 1995, during qualifying at the Australian GP, Mika Hakkinen crashed heavily and was rendered unconscious. Two volunteers doctors arrived within 15 seconds, with Watkins arriving last. Watkins performed a cricothyroidotomy at the side of the track, saving Mika's life and later describing it as his most satisfying experience during his time in the sport.

Watkins was awarded the Mario Andretti Award for Medical Excellence in 1996 and in 2002, Watkins was made a member of the Order of the British Empire. The University of Liverpool presented him with an honorary doctorate at a ceremony in Liverpool on 8 July 2004. On 12 October 2004, Watkins became the first president of the FIA Foundation for the Automobile and Society, and in December of that year he became the first president of the FIA Institute for Motor Sport Safety, both created in honor of the FIA's hundredth anniversary.

Watkins helped save the lives of many drivers including Gerhard Berger, Martin Donnelly, Érik Comas, Mika Häkkinen, Rubens Barrichello and Karl Wendlinger.

His contribution to F1 safety and its improvements should never be forgotten.

R.I.P Sid Watkins
R.I.P to Ayrton Senna, Roland Ratzenberger, Gilles Villleneuve, Riccardo Paletti, Ronnie Peterson and to those who have perished on the racing circuit