Formula One race director Charlie Whiting, a popular and key figure in the sport, has died three days before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Key points: Whiting died of a pulmonary embolism, the FIA said in a statement

Whiting died of a pulmonary embolism, the FIA said in a statement The 66-year-old was a much-loved figure in the sport, who pushed for improved safety

The 66-year-old was a much-loved figure in the sport, who pushed for improved safety The Australian Grand Prix kicks off the season in Melbourne on Sunday

The Briton, who started his career working for the Hesketh team in 1977, died in Melbourne of a pulmonary embolism. He was 66.

Five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton described Whiting as a giant of Formula One.

"What he did for the sport and his commitment, he really was a pillar," Hamilton said.

'I've known Charlie since I started in 2007 … what he did for the sport, his commitment, he really was an iconic figure."

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Four-time championship winner Sebastian Vettel said Whiting's death was "difficult to grasp".

"He's been sort of our man, the driver's man," Vettel said.

"There's the regulations, then there's us — he was the middle man. His door was always open.

"He was a racer, just a very nice guy. All our thoughts, the whole family of Formula One, are with him."

President of Formula One's governing body FIA, Jean Todt, said Whiting's death would be a great loss to the sport.

"It is with immense sadness that I learned of Charlie's sudden passing," Mr Todt said in a statement.

"He has been a great race director, a central and inimitable figure in Formula One who embodied the ethics and spirit of this fantastic sport.

"Formula One has lost a faithful friend and a charismatic ambassador in Charlie."

Whiting, who had been race director since 1997, first worked in Formula One for defunct British outfit Hesketh before crossing to Brabham to work with the sport's former commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone in the 1980s.

He joined the FIA as a technical delegate in 1988.

As FIA director, Whiting was a driving force in pushing improved safety and played a key role in the introduction of the halo, the ring-like barrier fitted over the drivers' heads to protect them from heavy impacts and flying objects.

The halo was credited with saving driver Charles Leclerc from a potentially serious injury at last year's Belgian Grand Prix when Fernando Alonso's McLaren bashed against his Sauber's bodywork as it flew over his head.

Whiting described as a 'wonderful person'

The news of Whiting's death was met with shock in the Formula One paddock where Whiting was close to drivers, with whom he conducted pre-race briefings, and teams, who sought technical guidance and clarifications.

Ross Brawn, Formula One managing director, said he was "devastated" to lose a friend and colleague.

"I have known Charlie for all of my racing life. We worked as mechanics together, became friends and spent so much time together at race tracks across the world," the former championship-winning boss of Brawn GP said in a statement.

"I was filled with immense sadness when I heard the tragic news."

The Red Bull Racing team said Formula One had "lost one of its most loyal and hard-working ambassadors".

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"I am deeply saddened to hear the terrible news," Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said.

"Charlie has played a key role in this sport and has been the referee and voice of reason as race director for many years.

"He was a man with great integrity who performed a difficult role in a balanced way. At heart, he was a racer with his origins stretching back to his time at Hesketh and the early days of (Jack) Brabham."

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto praised Whiting's diplomatic presence in the high-speed sport.

"Charlie was a true professional and extremely knowledgeable, but more than that, he was a wonderful person who always treated everyone with respect," Binotto said.

"A tireless and enlightened motorsport expert, he helped make F1 safer and better. He was a pillar of Formula One. Our sport is diminished by his passing."

Reuters