Professor Sid Watkins passes away

Former Formula One doctor Eric Sidney (Sid) Watkins has passed away late this afternoon. Watkins, born in Liverpool on September 6, 1928 was 84 today and was one of the most respected people through the history of Formula One.

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

Watkins sadly also saw several drivers pass away, including Gilles Villeneuve and Ayrton Senna. Sid was known to have been a close friend of the Brazilian 3-time World Champion until his passing at Tamburello during the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.

Watkins retired in January 2005 and was replaced by current F1 doctor Gary Hartstein. He received the Mario Andretti Award for Medical Excellence in 1996 and was made an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2002

Professor Sid leaves a wife and six children.