Charlie Whiting is FIA Formula One Race Director , Safety Delegate , Permanent Starter and head of the F1 Technical Department . He generally manages the logistics of each F1 Grand Prix , inspects cars before a race , enforces FIA rules , and controls the start of each race . Charlie Whiting ( born 1952 ) is FIA Formula One Race Director , Safety Delegate , Permanent Starter and head of the F1 Technical Department , in which capacities he generally manages the logistics of each F1 Grand Prix , inspects cars in Parc fermÃ before a race , enforces FIA rules , and controls the lights which start each race .