The Formula One fraternity paid tribute to the sport's safety pioneer, professor Sid Watkins. Watkins, a former FIA medical expert, who worked towards improving in the safety and medical standards of the sport, passed away at the age of 84 Wednesday.
Originally a neurosurgeon, Watkins was involved with F1 from 1978 to 2004. It was because of his efforts that that the sport managed to dramatically reduce the number of deaths on the circuit.
In fact, two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen, Rubens Barrichello, Martin Donnelly and Gerhard Berger owe their lives to him.
'The Prof', as Watkins was lovingly referred to, made an valuable contribution to the sport, both with his active involvement on the scene of accidents and with the work he did behind the scenes to help improve safety aspects.
"The world of motor racing has lost one of its true greats," McLaren chairman Ron Dennis said. "No, he wasn't a driver. No, he wasn't an engineer. No, he wasn't a designer. He was a doctor and it's probably fair to say he did more than anyone, over many years, to make Formula One as safe as it is today.
"Many drivers and ex-drivers owe their lives to his careful and expert work, which resulted in the massive advances in safety levels that today's drivers possibly take for granted."
Formula One veteran Rubens Barrichello tweeted: "It was Sid Watkins that saved my life in Imola 94. great guy to be with, always happy...tks for everything u have done for us drivers. RIP."
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone was nostalgic. "So sad #RIPProfessorSidWatkins rip Hope he's got his wish, on a fishing boat with ayrton senna. Talking about the best days of #f1," Ecclestone wrote on Twitter.
It was way back in 1978 when after getting to know Ecclestone that Watkins became a full-fledged F1 doctor - a first in F1 history.
He started his career with the Swedish Grand Prix in the same year that also proved to be his darkest in terms of accidents during races. As it was during the same season that Swedish driver Ronnie Peterson died in hospital the day after the Italian GP.
The tragedy proved to be a galvanizing point in Watkins' career as soon he started stressing on the need for greater medical safety on the circuit.
