Todt: “F1 is too expensive”

In his candidacy program, Jean Todt committed to continuing the work started by his predecessor Max Mosley, at the head of the International Automobile Federation. Two months after his election, Todt returned to the priorities awaiting him regarding mobility and sport. About the Formula 1, he thus wishes to continue the cost reduction initiated by Max Mosley to avoid the departure of other manufacturers.

« F1 is too expensive “, he proclaims at the outset. “ Je suis triste que Honda, BMW et Toyota soient partis, mais lorsque l’on dépense énormément et que les résultats ne sont pas là, c’est inéluctable. D’un autre côté, je trouve formidable que de nouvelles écuries se soient inscrites. »

The cost-saving measures taken in F1 “ are not sufficient ", according to him. Todt therefore advocates a continuation of this decline. “ I am against the regulatory limitation of budgets, but if we want to perpetuate F1, we need real awareness and fundamental decisions. »

Besides F1, another area also concerns the new president of the FIA: the rally. With only two manufacturers? Citroën and Ford? committed, Jean Todt wants to act to attract more. “ But before acting, we must think and talk to ourselves », He explains. " I initiated a working group, with experts like Michèle Mouton, Guy Fréquelin and Carlos Sainz, and we will act as soon as possible. »

Barely installed at Place de la Concorde at the FIA ​​headquarters, Jean Todt already seems busy to perpetuate motorsport over time. “ Motorsport must adapt to the times », he concludes. “ From there, it will symbolize progress. »