Home Sports 'RIP Sid. You weren't a driver but you were one of our greats' - TODAYonline

LONDON - The Formula 1 fraternity paid tribute to one of the sport's most faithful servants, former medical delegate Sid Watkins (picture), who died on Wednesday evening at the age of 84.

The wise-cracking neurosurgeon with a love for cigars and whisky was Formula 1's on-track surgeon from 1978 until 2004, and it was his crusade to improve medical facilities that helped to dramatically cut the number of deaths and serious injuries in the sport.

His actions helped save the lives of Northern Ireland's Martin Donnelly, Finland's two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen and Austria's Gerhard Berger, among others.

"The world of motor racing has lost one of its true greats," said Ron Dennis, the McLaren Chairman and former team principal. "No, he wasn't a driver (but) 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."

Rubens Barrichello, an F1 veteran for 19 seasons, said on Twitter: "It was Sid Watkins that saved my life in Imola 94 ... tks for everything u have done for us drivers. RIP."

During his time as medical delegate, Watkins witnessed the deaths of drivers like Sweden's Ronnie Peterson, Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna.

Watkins' interest in motorcycling dated from his childhood in Liverpool, where his family had a bike shop and garage.

He became the first Professor of Neurosurgery at the London Hospital in 1970.

Eight years later, he was approached by Bernie Ecclestone, shortly before the death of Peterson in an accident at Monza in 1978, to become an on-track surgeon at Grand Prix races. He was also the Chief Medical Officer for the FIA, the sport's world governing body.

Upon stepping down, Watkins presided over the FIA Institute for Motor Sport Safety until last December.

In his book, Life at the Limit: Triumph And Tragedy In Formula One, Watkins wrote of three-time world champion Senna's final days during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix and how distraught the Brazilian was at Ratzenberger's death in qualifying.

Advising Senna not to race, he added: "In fact, why don't you give it up altogether? You have been world champion three times, you are obviously the quickest driver. Give it up and let's go fishing."

Senna's reply, the last words he spoke to Watkins, was simple: "Sid, there are certain things over which we have no control. I cannot quit, I have to go on." THE GUARDIAN