Ex-FIA President Jean Todt has said he is “perplexed” by the lack of contact from Ferrari, despite his hugely successful 16-year stint as the Formula 1 team’s boss.
The Frenchman, who became the sport’s governing body’s chief in 2009 until 2021 joined Ferrari in 1993 as General Manager, having previously been Director of Motorsport at Peugeot.
Todt was instrumental in overhauling the running of the team, bringing it back from a largely barren spell with the signing of Michael Schumacher in 1996, followed by the recruitment of technical supremo Ross Brawn and designer Rory Byrne.
Speaking to La Repubblica, Todt said: “Since I left I have spoken to some members of the team, but since I left the FIA I have never had any contact again.
“I must say that I was very perplexed given how much time I dedicated to this incredible company and how many results we achieved.
“When I arrived in 1993 there was a castle in ruins, the design area in England, an old and unusable wind tunnel at the headquarters.
“But little by little we built a jewel. Alone I would not have done anything, I was good at forming and maintaining a team for years, making it a dream team.
“The 14 championships won remain in the books. It was the most successful period in the history of Ferrari.”
The diminutive saviour of the Scuderia
Ferrari became a regular title challenger from 1997 onwards, with Schumacher losing out on the World Championship in the final round that year and in 1998.
Eddie Irvine would follow suit with a last-race defeat in 1999, but the team, despite Schumacher breaking his leg at the British Grand Prix, won the Constructors’ Championship, its first since 1983.
Schumacher would then finally grab his own glory, becoming Ferrari’s first Drivers’ Champion in 21 years in 2000.
The victory lit the touch paper for a glorious spell for the team, with Schumacher going on to take the next four championships in a largely dominant fashion.
Todt, in addition, became Ferrari’s CEO in 2004 and was then placed into the role of Special Advisor two years later.
Leaving in 2009 to take up the mantle as FIA’s President from Max Mosely, Todt was re-elected unopposed in 2013 and 2017, before stepping down in December 2021 with Mohammed Ben Sulayem taking his place.
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