Whiting in talks to join F1 team (Update)
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| Charlie Whiting |
This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. FIA Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting has laughed off rumors he is looking to quit motorsport's world governing body and join a race team.
Rumors have circulated over the course of the Italian Grand Prix weekend that Whiting is ready to quit the FIA and he is touting his services to the teams.
The 64-year-old, who has been with the FIA since 1988 when he was initially appointed as technical delegate, has categorically dismissed the speculation.
"I've heard this rather ludicrous story, and I don't know where it came from, that apparently I'm not happy at the FIA and I've been touting myself to the teams," Whiting told Autosport.
"It's entirely without foundation on both counts. It's laughable. I'm extremely happy doing what I'm doing, and I'm most certainly not touting myself to the teams – and if I did, I wouldn't do it in the paddock.
"A friend text me yesterday and said that even on TV someone had said I was leaving at the end of the year, that I'd have a year on gardening leave, and then I'd take over as team principal of a team.
"Well, that's news to me. It's complete nonsense."
09/02/16 (GMM) Charlie Whiting may be looking for another job in F1.
That F1's long-serving top FIA race director and starter is in talks with a couple of teams could fire a major controversy, according to Germany's Auto Bild.
The report said Briton Whiting, 64, held talks with various teams last weekend at Spa.
Whiting's F1 career dates all the way back to when he was a mechanic and engineer at Bernie Ecclestone's Brabham team. He became the FIA's technical delegate in 1988.
Auto Bild claims he was made race director in 1997, after Ron Dennis threatened to pull McLaren out of F1 if Whiting accepted Flavio Briatore's offer to join Benetton.