The family of Professor Sid Watkins, who passed away on Wednesday, has thanked those who have left kind messages in tribute to the 84-year-old former F1 doctor.
In a statement, the family said: “Professor Sid Watkins, Formula 1 doctor and leading neurosurgeon, died peacefully in a London hospital last night aged 84, after a short illness.
“His family would like to thank everyone for the many messages of support and the touching tributes from the world of motor racing, medicine and beyond.
“There will be a private family funeral in Scotland followed by a memorial service in London in the coming months, details of which will be announced shortly.”
Tributes have been pouring in on Thursday from those who worked with Watkins.
FIA president Jean Todt: “This is a truly sad day for the FIA family and the entire motor sport community. Sid was loved and respected in equal measure by all those who knew and worked with him. We will always be grateful for the safety legacy that he has left our sport.”
GPDA: “All Formula 1 drivers of the Grand Prix Drivers Association would like to extend their most sincere condolences to the family of Professor Sid Watkins. Thanks to his enormous efforts throughout more than two decades Formula 1 achieved its present safety standards. His contribution to Formula 1 with the improvements in the standards of safety and medical intervention in motor sport has been invaluable. He helped to save the lives of many Formula 1 drivers by modernizing the medical intervention. Due to his work many serious injuries have been avoided since.
“All our thoughts are with his family in this sad moment. Professor Sid Watkins’ charisma and spirit will always be with us at all circuits around the world. We miss the great Professor and friend he was to many of us.”
Sir Frank Williams: “Sid Watkins gained the respect and admiration of all the drivers throughout his time in Formula One. I know a number of them, throughout their time as racing drivers, looked to Sid for many different kinds of advice, in addition to his medical expertise. Perhaps most significant in my mind is that Sid was held in high regard by Bernie Ecclestone.
“He was in all respects a very special human being. In particular, his dedication to the safety of the drivers required endless persistence to achieve the safety standards and level of medical care that were necessary to save drivers’ lives.
“My own endorsement of Sid’s abilities goes without saying. He took splendid care of me when I spent 11 weeks in his hospital post-injury. After that I emerged as a human being who, if not fully mobile, could continue with a perfectly normal and healthy lifestyle. I remain forever grateful to him.”
Ron Dennis: “Today the world of motor racing lost one of its true greats: Professor Sid Watkins. 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 that he did more than anyone, over many years, to make Formula 1 as safe as it is today.
“As such, 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. But, more than that, Sid was a dear friend of mine, and I’ll miss him bitterly.
“To his widow Susan, and to his family, I extend my sincerest condolences. He was a truly great man, and the world of motor racing simply won’t be the same without him.”
Christian Horner: “It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Professor Sid Watkins. His contribution to the safety of Formula One has been enormous. Many drivers and personnel within Formula One owe him a great deal. Above all, he was a genuinely nice person and one of life’s real characters. I would like to pass on my sincere condolences to his family.”
Martin Brundle (Twitter): “Motorsport has lost a true visionary character with death of Prof Sid Watkins, 84. Great man, funny too. Saved my left foot being amputated.
“Sid W would often prescribe ‘a stiff whisky and aspirin’ unless your leg was hanging off. His way of saying ‘just put up and get on with it.’
“Sid was the ‘go to’ man for health in Motorsport. He helped, saved, or made more comfortable, numerous people who never sat in a racing car.”
Rubens Barrichello (Twitter): “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.”
Jenson Button (Twitter): “Rest in Peace Sid Watkins…Motorsport wouldn’t be what it is today without u. Thank you for all you’ve done, we as drivers are so grateful.
“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” ~ Albert Einstein. RIP Professor Sid Watkins.
Heikki Kovalainen (Twitter): “Sad” to hear professor Sid Watkins has past away, one of the true greats in motorsport. R.I.P.”
Lewis Hamilton (Twitter): “It’s a sad day, with the loss of professor Sid Watkins. Without his incredible contribution to the sport, our lives as drivers would be a risk. My condolences go out to his family.”
David Coulthard: “Sid Watkins was one of the best Men I have met in my life, totally selfless and the world has lost a great.”
