I daresay when most people turn on to watch F1 their thoughts don't necesarily turn to who is organising the medical cover.
Interesting then that for the insiders and fans of the sport Prof. Sid Watkins was awell known and respected name. For many years he was at the track, in one of the medical cars rushing to the scene when an accident occurred.
He has been on hand personally to save the lives of numerous drivers. But in a 33 year F1/motorpsort career it is probably his work away from the track where he has had the most impact.
Todays single seaters at all levels have benefitted from his work with the FIA and as a result many of todays drivers owe him their lives.
Change is never easy, especially when it costs cash. Jackie Stewart found that out when he started his crusade for better safety in the '70's. As a driver at the time he just didn't have the technical clout. Sid Watkins had the advantage of being a top neurosurgeon plus he had the endorsement of Bernie Ecclestone. Bernie believed in Sid, and so Sid got the job done, for 33 years.
It was a lot to do with his work on advising on driver safety, car design, circuit facilities and training that ensured no driver died in F1 for 11 years before that fateful weekend at Imola in '94. Saving Barrichello's life one minute and then witnessing Ratzenburger's death the next. If that showed him that work still needed to be done, the next day confimed it. Senna's death must have been an enormous blow, especially after trying to pursuade him to retire the day before at the scene of Ratzenburger's accident.
Sid Waktins spent the following 11 years ensuring it didn't happen again.
Is it too much to say that one man deserves all the credit for this? No it isn't, and there probably isn't a person in the sport that would disagree.
A giant of man in the world of motosport has passed. Now, 18 years later Sid, you should hook up with Ayrton and go fishing. Just as you asked him to on that fateful day in '94.
RIP Prof. Sid Watkins....and thank you.
No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012