FIA names new F1 doctor

Dr Gary Hartstein's replacement as F1's medical rescue co-ordinator has been named as Dr Ian Roberts, who will assume his new role ahead of the impending 2013 season.

Roberts, who will report to Professor Jean-Charles Piette, the FIA's permanent medical delegate to the top flight, will work within the existing medical team at grands prix. He succeeds American Hartstein, who was released from the position at the end of the 2012 campaign.

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

Based in the UK, Dr Roberts is a consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care and a veteran HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) practitioner. He is vastly experienced in trackside emergency response and is best known within the motorsports community as the chief medical officer at Silverstone.

As part of his role there, he has acted as chief medical officer at the British Grand Prix for many years. He sits on several motorsports medical advisory panels, including those of the FIA Institute and the UK's Motor Sports Association.