Formula 1 icon Charlie Whiting has died at the age of 66 less than 24 hours after the 2019 Formula 1 season was launched in Melbourne.

The veteran racing steward and FIA race director died after suffering a pulmonary embolism on Thursday morning in Melbourne.

Widely regarded as one of the most influential people in the history of Formula 1, Whiting died just one day before he was scheduled to officiate the first practice session of the Formula 1 season at Albert Park in Melbourne on Friday.

As reported by Skysports.com, the FIA released a statement on Thursday to confirm the tragic news.

“It is with immense sadness that I learned of Charlie’s passing,” FIA president Jean Todt said.

“Charlie Whiting was a great race director, a central and inimitable figure in Formula 1 who embodied the ethics and spirit of this fantastic sport.

“Formula 1 has lost a faithful friend and a charismatic ambassador in Charlie. All my thoughts, those of the FIA and entire motorsport community go out to his family, friends, and all Formula 1 lovers.”

Formula 1 managing director Ross Brawn

“I have known Charlie for all of my racing life,” he said,

“We worked as mechanics together, became friends and spent so much time together at race tracks across the world. I was filled with immense sadness when I heard the tragic news. I’m devastated. It is a great loss not only for me personally but also the entire Formula 1 family, the FIA and motorsport as a whole.

“All our thoughts go out to his family.”

Whiting began his F1 career in 1977 working for the Hesketh team, before joining Brahbam in the 1980s. He had served as F1’s race director since 1997.

He has been an integral part of the organisation of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship since he joined the Federation in 1988, and has been the Race Director since 1997.

His death has shocked the Formula 1 world.

Formula 1 teams, including Red Bull and McLaren, were among the first to express their deep sadness at the tragic news.

We are shocked and saddened to hear of Charlie Whiting’s passing and our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues. pic.twitter.com/gRDunCfb72 — Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) March 14, 2019

All at McLaren are shocked and deeply saddened at the news of Charlie Whiting's passing. Charlie will be remembered as one of the giants of our sport, as well as a great colleague. Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with all of his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/DmrSZAT4Cc — McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 14, 2019

We are terribly saddened to hear of Charlie Whiting's passing. Charlie was a true legend of the sport and will be greatly missed. Everyone's thoughts at Williams are with his family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/rWBjYuank9 — ROKiT WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) March 14, 2019

Very sad to hear of the passing of Charlie Whiting overnight. He will be sorely missed up and down the paddock and by the whole sport. — Simon Lazenby (@simon__lazenby) March 14, 2019

Awful news here in Melbourne on the eve of the new season that FIA Race Director Charlie Whiting has passed away. Admired and respected by everybody, his contribution to the sport was unparalleled & immense. We’ll hugely miss him. RIP Charlie — David Croft (@CroftyF1) March 14, 2019

Very sad and surreal news ahead the Australian GP. Can’t believe it..

My thoughts are with the family and friends.

He’s done so much for the sport we love.



Rest in peace Charlie#VB77 https://t.co/7N3GqTz8ec — Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) March 14, 2019

Horrible news from Melbourne. All my thoughts goes to Charlie's family.

The motorsport world will miss you.

R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/zrKIpChFFA — Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) March 14, 2019

I’m deeply saddened to hear the news of Charlie Whiting's passing. Such a huge figure in the world of motorsport. All of my thoughts are with his family and his many friends right now. We’ll all miss him very much. https://t.co/yX8RqMixvF — George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) March 14, 2019

Terrible development in formula one this morning, race director Charlie Whiting has died here in Melbourne. I’ve followed the sport for 30 years, he was a major technical figure in the sport. — Tom Browne (@TomBrowne7) March 14, 2019

Desperately sad to hear official confirmation from the FIA that F1 director Charlie Whiting passed away last night in Melbourne aged 66. A friend for 30 years, he played a huge role in the sport and will be much missed — Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) March 14, 2019

Terrible news to start the F1 season. Charlie Whiting has sadly passed away. He was 66. #RIPCharlie — Ben Hunt (@benjhunt) March 14, 2019

We are deeply saddened to hear of our friend Charlie Whiting’s passing.



We send our condolences to his family at this difficult time. The entire motorsport community is in mourning. https://t.co/VlnvFVMxkh — Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) March 14, 2019

For those of us excited about the upcoming F1 season that starts this weekend, the out of the blue death of Charlie Whiting has come as a huge shock.



Charlie has been an instrumental figure in the administration of F1 for decades.



Condolences to his family on a very sad day. https://t.co/vtAZjrULlj — Redeye (@PaulChaloner) March 14, 2019

Terrible news. Charlie Whiting died last night of a pulmonary embolism. He was 66 years old.https://t.co/UfQvQA0Sxf — Tobi Grüner 🏁 (@tgruener) March 14, 2019

Charlie Whiting, the FIA F1 director and a huge figure in the sport, died on Wednesday night aged 66. Whiting suffered a pulmonary embolism, FIA said. FIA president Jean Todt pays tribute to "a central and inimitable figure in F1 who embodied the ethics and spirit" of the sport — Andrew Benson (@andrewbensonf1) March 14, 2019