The Englishman started his motorsport career in the early 60's and was offered a job by Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. The renowned neurosurgeon was instrumental in driver rescue and recoveries following accidents, such as the serious incidents of Frenchman Didier Pironi in 1982, Northern Irishman Martin Donnelly in 1990, Austrian Karl Wendlinger in 1994 and Finnish Mika Häkkinen in 1995. Watkins, who was born in Liverpool, was a close friend of the legendary Ayrton Senna, whose life he attempted to save just after the Brazilian's heavy crash at Imola in 1994.
The long-time doctor of Formula 1 announced his full-time retirement in January 2005 and was replaced by Gary Hartstein. In 1996 Watkins received the Mario Andretti Award for Medical Excellence and six years later he was made an Order of the British Empire (OBE). He remained as President of the FIA Institute until 8 December last year, when the professor elected to step down.
