It takes leadership to improve safety. And I started off the movement in my time, but the person who has done more over the past 20 to 30 years and who has led it is Professor Sid Watkins.

The quote "It takes leadership to improve safety. And I started off the movement in my time, but the person who has done more over the past 20 to 30 years and who has led it is Professor Sid Watkins" by Jackie Stewart highlights the importance of leadership in improving safety, particularly in the context of motorsport. Stewart, a former Formula 1 driver, acknowledges his role in starting the movement to improve safety standards in racing, but he gives credit to Professor Sid Watkins, a renowned neurosurgeon, for his pivotal role in advancing those efforts over the following decades. This quote reflects Stewart’s humility and recognition of the contributions of others in the broader effort to make racing safer.

Stewart is known for his outspoken advocacy for safety during his time in Formula 1, where he pushed for improved medical facilities, track conditions, and driver protection. His efforts during the 1970s helped bring attention to the high risks involved in the sport and led to significant reforms. However, he acknowledges that Professor Sid Watkins, who served as the F1 medical chief, took those efforts even further, implementing lasting changes and innovations that saved many lives in the years that followed.

The origin of this quote comes from Stewart’s recognition of the ongoing work that goes into making racing safer. While Stewart's leadership laid the foundation for the safety improvements in motorsport, Watkins’s long-term commitment and leadership in the medical and safety fields of Formula 1 were crucial to ensuring the survival of modern racing, with advances such as better crash barriers, safety equipment, and on-site medical care.

Ultimately, Stewart’s words underscore the idea that leadership is not just about initiating change, but about recognizing the contributions of those who carry the mission forward. By crediting Watkins for his role in continuing and expanding the safety movement, Stewart highlights the importance of collaboration and ongoing effort in driving meaningful and lasting change.