[dropcap]F[/dropcap]IA President, Jean Todt, will deliver the Motorsport Safety Fund’s prestigious Watkins Lecture on Friday 15 January, 2016 at Autosport International.
Named after former long-standing Formula 1 Medical and Safety Delegate, Prof. Sid Watkins, the 19th annual lecture will cover a number of topical issues relating to motorsport safety.
After his early career as a rally co-driver, Todt worked in various motorsport management roles directing teams in World Rally, Paris-Dakar, the 24-hours of Le Mans and guiding Scuderia Ferrari to 14 driver and manufacturer World Championship titles in Formula 1. He later took up the position of Chief Executive Officer for Ferrari between 2006 and 2008. In April 2015, Todt was appointed as Special Envoy for Road Safety by United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.
The prestigious Watkins Lecture is run by the Motorsport Safety Fund – a registered charity formed in 1974 to help improve safety in motorsport.
Taking place at the Gallery Suite at the NEC, Birmingham, during Autosport International, the Watkins Lecture will be hosted by the BBC’s James Allen in front of an expected 500-strong audience. Previous speakers include Prof. Watkins himself in 1998 and 2007, Bernie Ecclestone, Max Mosley, Ron Dennis, Christian Horner, Niki Lauda and Sir Jackie Stewart.
The lecture begins 11:15am on Friday, 15 January, 2016. Admission is free by ticket only and can be requested via the Motorsport Safety Fund’s website at: http://www.motorsportsafetyfund.com/watkins-lecture.html.
Anthony Rowlinson, Group Editor – Motorsport at Haymarket Media Group said: “The show has supported the industry for over 25 years and with Jean Todt presenting the Watkins Lecture next year, this is just another stand-out reason not to miss Autosport International in 2016.”
The Watkins Lecture is just one of the many highlights planned at Autosport International this January. Williams Martini Racing will be integrating their imposing motorhome alongside the Autosport Stage along with the largest collection of iconic Williams F1 cars ever seen outside the team’s Grove headquarters. Former British F1 champion, Damon Hill, has confirmed his attendance at the show and visitors will get the unique chance to see him reunited with his 1996 championship-winning FW18 car.
Furthermore, Autosport Engineering plus the Trade and Technical area of Autosport International will once again act as Europe’s premier forum for suppliers and buyers of cutting edge motorsport technology to network and forge long-lasting business contacts ahead of the forthcoming season.
