PlanetF1

Roberts replaces Hartstein as F1 doc

Friday 18-January-2013 05:29

Dr Ian Roberts has been appointed the new Formula One Medical Rescue Coordinator, replacing the ousted Gary Hartstein.

In a shock move at the end of last season the FIA opted not to renew Hartstein's contract. The 57-year-old had been the F1 doctor since 2005 when Sid Watkins stepped down.

Hartstein will be replaced by Roberts, who has vast experienced in trackside emergency response and is best known as the chief medical officer of the Silverstone circuit.

An FIA statement read: "He will report to Professor Jean-Charles Piette, the FIA's permanent Medical Delegate to F1.

"While Professor Piette will oversee emergency operations from race control, Dr Roberts will deploy to the track. His primary role there is to supervise the response of the local medical team."

Hartstein was one of the first to congratulate Roberts on his new position.

"Congrats to Ian. Would certainly have been on my short list. Really good doc, skilled leader, great guy. Lots of luck, and have a great time," he Tweeted.

"Fitting on the eve of Sid's memorial that someone representing the best of British motorsports medicine be named."