Taking time away from the Singapore Grand Prix weekend for just a few minutes for this story.

Actor, race car driver, producer, philanthropist and race team owner, Paul Newman has passed away. Among many great things, he had a great passion for car racing and was co-owner of Newman Haas Racing of the Indy Racing League. Formerly CART Indy Car Racing, he gave F1 great Nigel Mansell his Indy car championship in 1993 and was substantial in Sebastien Bourdais 4 championships with Newman Hass racing.

Statement from the team regarding the passing of Paul Newman:

“On behalf of Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, my wife Bernadette and myself, I want to express our most sincere condolences to Joanne and the entire Newman family on the loss of a great human being. Paul and I have been partners for 26 years and I have come to know his passion, humor and above all, his generosity. Not just economic generosity, but generosity of spirit. His support of the team’s drivers, crew and the racing industry is legendary. His pure joy at winning a pole position or winning a race exemplified the spirit he brought to his life and to all those that knew him. We will truly miss him.”

- Carl A. Haas, co-owner of Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing

“We truly lost a great man. Most of us knew him as Butch or Fast Eddie from the theater or from our living rooms at home. He was much more than a great actor. His legacy will be his five children, his wife, Joanne and all the sick children around the world who desperately needed his help. Paul was a man of character who cared about the world and the people who lived in it. Putting a smile on a young person’s face and helping people in need was a virtue he excelled at. Little did anyone realize a child born of such humble beginnings could affect our lives in so many positive ways. We should all learn to live by his example. We will miss him dearly but will never forget him.”

- Michael Lanigan, co-owner of Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing