Almost two decades have passed since Jean Todt was leading Scuderia Ferrari in the Maranello team’s most successful period and fans were delighted with the idea of his possible return to Ferrari. However, this is not likely to happen as John Elkann did not feel reuniting with the former FIA president would be the best way forward.
Jean Todt joined Scuderia Ferrari back in 1993 and played a decisive role in bringing the team back on top as well as signing Michael Schumacher. The German champion joined the Maranello team in 1996 and, alongside Jean Todt and Ross Brawn, led the team to five successive Formula One World titles as the Italian side enjoyed what was then unprecedented success from 200o to 2004.
Michael Schumacher’s 2004 Formula 1 world title was his seventh overall, with Scuderia Ferrari reaping the benefits of having a record-breaking seven-time World Champion on the pay roll. The German champion left Ferrari at the end of the 2006 season, while Jean Todt departing two years later after winning two more titles (one Drivers’ title and one Constructors’ title).
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One year later the Frenchman began his new role as president of the FIA, motorsport’s governing body, a position he held until last year when he called time on his FIA presidency, and was then linked to a return to Scuderia Ferrari, which it seems will not actually happen.
‘Ferrari’s Executive Chairman John Elkann has reportedly decided against the company re-employing outgoing FIA president Jean Todt,’ Mark Hughes explained for Motorsportmagazine.com.
‘A ‘super-consultant’ role had been envisaged which would have formed a bridge between the corporate and F1 parts of the operation, something which initially found favour with both Elkann and team principal Mattia Binotto. But after being discussed at corporate level, Elkann has reportedly changed his mind, leaving 75-year-old Todt definitively free to spend his time on other projects dear to his heart.’
A few weeks ago, Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto was asked about the chances of Jean Todt returning to Ferrari, but did not want to make any predictions:
“What I can say is so far it is only speculation,” he said in December – “Personally, I have worked with Jean Todt. He has been my boss and I think I learned a lot from him. It has been an honour to work with him and I would say that as well, whatever will be the case in the future, it will still be an honour for me to work together with him because I still believe that, as Mattia and as a team, there is still much to learn.” – he concluded.
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