FONTANA, Calif. – Justin Wilson says that Dr. Sid Watkins was so respected in the Formula One community “that if he said the cars could drive on the moon we would drive on the moon.”

Watkins, who was instrumental in advancement of motorsports safety procedures and protocols during his 26 years as the FIA Formula One safety and medical delegate, died Sept. 13. He was 84.

“I never had any close encounters with him, fortunately,” said Wilson, who competed in F1 in 2003 for Minardi and Jaguar Racing and now drives for Dale Coyne Racing in the IZOD IndyCar Series. “He was one of those people that even when you walk up to him, before he says anything, you can just tell he’s a caring guy who has everyone’s best interests at heart. He had that aura around him; everyone did everything he said.

“He’d been there in some of Formula One’s most tragic times and in some of it best times and helped progressed safety from some of those tragic times. He’s been a huge part of what we know as open-wheel racing.”

Primarily through Watkins’ efforts following the accident at Monza in 1978 that claimed the life of Ronnie Peterson, a medical helicopter, mobile hospital and vehicle to get a doctor to the scene of accidents was adopted as standard procedures at each event. Other advancements followed through the years.

“He was obviously the pioneer in motorsports medicine and brought medical science to the sport in the ‘70s,” said Dr. Terry Trammell, medical consultant to INDYCAR. “I met him for the first time in the early ‘80s in Hockenheim, Germany, and he affectionately called me ‘the boy’ through the years in deference to my considerable younger age. I learned a lot from him. His wit, patience and tact were unparalled.”

Watkins retired after the 2004 F1 season.

"Sid was the guy," said Rubens Barrichello, who competed for 19 years in F1 before transitioning to the IZOD IndyCar Series this year. "I am so thankful to Sid. He saved my life in 1994, when I had my accident at Imola and he was there.  He told me that I lost my life for six minutes when I swallowed my tongue, which is hard to believe you could do, but I did it. I am truly grateful to him and sorry we have lost such a great man."