19. Charlie Whiting

A former chief mechanic with Bernie Ecclestone’s Brabham team, Charlie Whiting is the Race Director for Formula 1 and holds a number of other FIA-related roles. Following a successful career as a mechanic, in which he participated in the World Championship titles of Nelson Piquet in 1981 and 1983, Whiting became a technical delegate to the FIA in 1988, before being made Race Director, nine years later. His role carries the responsibility to ensure the race is conducted safely and within the spirit of competition at all times. Only Whiting has the authority to start, suspend or end a Formula 1 race.