People

Professor Sidney Watkins MD, FRCS

The son of a Liverpool garage owner, Sid Watkins graduated from Liverpool University in 1952 and then spent four years in the Royal Army Medical Corps - with which he served in West Africa. On his return to civilian life he specialized in neurosurgery in Oxford, and later in London. During this time he was often to be found spending his free weekends acting as race track doctor. When he was appointed professor of neurosurgery at the State University of Syracuse, New York, he continued his sporting role at Watkins Glen, NY.When he returned to England to take up a job as head of neurosurgery at the London Hospital he met Brabham team boss Bernie Ecclestone who offered him the job of being F1's doctor. His commonsense approach and willingness to speak his mind has made him a respected figure in F1 circles and in 1994 he was appointed to head the Advisory Experts Group to examine all forms of safety in Formula 1.