Formula One: F1 stars pay tribute to unsung hero Watkins
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LONDON (AFP) - Formula One stars on Thursday paid tribute to the sport's former medical delegate Sid Watkins, who has died at the age of 84.
Watkins helped save the lives of Ferrari's Didier Pironi at the 1982 German Grand Prix, Jordan's Rubens Barrichello at Imola in 1994, and McLaren's Mika Hakkinen at Adelaide in 1995 during an incident-packed 26-year career as Formula One's on-track surgeon.
The neurosurgeon's bid to improve medical facilities in Formula One also dramatically cut the number of deaths and serious injuries, and the sport's leading figures responded to Watkins' passing with a series of tributes.
Confirming Watkins' death, McLaren Group chairman and close friend Ron Dennis said: "Today the world of motor racing lost one of its true greats.
