As we reported yesterday, the Ferrari board agreed to dismiss Jean Todt from his position as CEO. But we wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the Frenchman altogether. Todt has been known as one of the busiest people in the industry, and while everyone deserves a little downtime, at 62 Todt isn't expected to disappear so quickly.
Rumors have been circulating for years that Todt could succeed Max Mosley as president of the FIA, the international motorsport governing body that regulates Formula One, among many other racing series. Those rumors are only intensifying in the wake of Todt's resignation. Todt and Mosley are known to share a close relationship, and the current president is not expected to run for another term when his current one expires next year. The speculation breeds as well on the fact that even after stepping down from the top spot at Ferrari, Todt remains the Scuderia's representative on the FIA council, leaving him with a foothold in the governing body that could come in handy when it heads into elections in October 2009.
[Source: GrandPrix.com, Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
a @ Mar 20th 2008 6:21PM
Great. Another Ferrari man in the FIA chair.
Franz @ Mar 20th 2008 7:01PM
I would hate to see what kind of harebrained schemes that Todt would cook up if he was at the helm of the FIA. I think most of 'em are in Ferrari's pocket anyways.
HotRodzNKustoms @ Mar 20th 2008 6:34PM
I just wish we could rid the world of Bernie Ecclestone
R.S.Girardau @ Mar 20th 2008 11:41PM
Absolutely Correct!!!
bambino @ Mar 20th 2008 6:41PM
I also have a ferrari, and needed to get some autobody work done to it, I didn't necessarily want to go to the dealership to get it handled as it was minor body work. I went to http://www.citywaboo.com and was able to ask my friends for advice on which body shops were the best.
Mobius_1 @ Mar 20th 2008 11:51PM
Just because it is remotely connected to the topic (Ferrari) doesn't mean that your comment is not SPAM!
Luis @ Mar 20th 2008 7:39PM
I have always liked Todt. Regardless of who he worked for, I think this will be a good move.
nardi @ Mar 20th 2008 7:43PM
I would not be sad to see the back of Mosley and think Todt would be great for the job as long as he can leave any Ferrari influence behind.
Logik @ Mar 20th 2008 9:25PM
The sooner Max Mosley looses all influence over F1, the better. Ecclestone needs to be "nexed" ASAP, too!
Mobius_1 @ Mar 20th 2008 11:53PM
Jean Todt's new F1 rule: only red cars may win, and only Italian cars may be painted red
hydrogenvodka @ Mar 21st 2008 2:07AM
LOL
Gooch @ Mar 21st 2008 7:19AM
If there is anyone thinking Todt could actually be "objective" after being with the Scuderia since 1993, you're being really optimistic.
I don't think Ecclestone needs to go; he just needs to stop trying to get rid of the classic races. Spa, Monza, Monaco and Silverstone should be untouchable! Even Suzuka and the old Hockenheim. Jeez.
Mosley, please, exit stage left. You've become as much a buffoon as Balestre was.
peter simpson @ Apr 2nd 2008 7:20AM
Agree. Todt can't be objective and balanced with 15years of Ferrari immersion. Get rid of Mosley and don't replace him with Todt - Stewart, Hiil or Brundle would all be better candidates. No blue blazer bureaucrats either.
Jules Mounteer @ Mar 25th 2008 9:42AM
Ecclestone needs to go? F1 is Ecclestone. Until he decides to retire, or dies, then he will run F1 as he sees fit. As for Todt replacing Mosley, well it would certainly continue the unfair advantage Ferrari has held for the Mosley era.