Jean Todt "very perplexed" by Ferrari's lack of recognition

In an interview with La Repubblica, Jean Todt expressed surprise at no longer having contact with Scuderia Ferrari and regretted a lack of recognition from the Italian clan since his departure from the F1 world.

Published 04/02/2025 à 14:41

Dorian Grangier

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Jean Todt "very perplexed" by Ferrari's lack of recognition

© Javier Jimenez / DPPI

Jean Todt and Ferrari, it's a wonderful story that lasted more than fifteen years in Formula 1 and who led the Scuderia to its best years. In sixteen seasons, the French manager won 14 world titles and 116 Grand Prix victories with the Italian team. From 1993 to 2008, the Cantal native wrote the most beautiful pages in the great Ferrari book… alas, since then, the relationship between the Frenchman and the team of Maranello frayed, with the two sides drifting further apart year by year until contact was virtually non-existent.

This is in any case what the former Ferrari Team Principal regrets, who confides that he has not had any news from the Scuderia since his departure from the presidency of the FIA, in 2021. "After I left [Ferrari], I spoke to some of the team members, but since I left the FIA, I haven't had any contact at all. I have to say I'm very perplexed given all the time I've dedicated to this incredible company and the number of results we've achieved."regret Jean Todt in an interview with the Italian media La Repubblica.

Todt continues to see Schumacher

With its star pilot, Michael Schumacher, and renowned engineers, Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne to name but two, Jean Todt was able to build a formidable team, unbeaten in the championship between 2000 and 2004. "When I arrived in 1993, the castle was in ruins. There was an old wind tunnel that was unusable. But little by little, we transformed it into a jewelhe recalls. Alone I would not have done anything, I was gifted at building and managing a team for years, to make it a dream team. The 14 championships we won remain in the annals, it was the most successful period in the history of Ferrari.

In the same interview, the French leader spoke about the relationship he has had with Michael Schumacher and his family since the German driver's skiing accident in December 2013. "The family has decided not to respond to requests. A choice that I respect, says Jean Todt, still very close to his former protégé. I see [Michael] and his family regularly and affectionately. Our bond goes beyond our professional history. It is part of my life, which is now very far from Formula 1.

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Dorian Grangier

A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.

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4 Comment (s)

H

Hilton Leon

04/02/2025 at 08:29 a.m.

Didn't he leave with some pots and pans, especially concerning engines sold for an A1 GP series?? He must know why.

C

Christian

04/02/2025 at 06:41 a.m.

JT knows perfectly well why he became 'persona non grata' at Ferrari, or he has memory problems. There are the sporting results on one side and the general behavior on the other. Even if it is obvious to say it, we are on the site of a magazine more than introduced in the mysteries of motor sport and F1, so there is no question of drooling over him. This kind of thing is done in private.

C

Cire

04/02/2025 at 06:14 a.m.

Given the salary received during these years, no need for recognition

L

Lucas Paul

04/02/2025 at 06:03 a.m.

Ferrari, will never again have a duo like Todt and Shumi to bring the Scuderia to the top! What a mistake to have replaced Carlos Sainz with this guy in the final phase of his activity as a driver, it's like with Alonso, these gentlemen forget their age, and nature being what it is a body of 40 years and more, no longer works like that of 30 years and 20 years ..... so go have fun elsewhere, you cost too much to the teams who trap you for "advertising" reasons, but the public has understood that it's over, make way for the young gentlemen!

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