Jean Todt
Jean Todt (b. February 26, 1946, Pierrefort, France) is the executive director of Scuderia Ferrari, the Ferrari company's Formula One constructor. On October 25, 2006, he was appointed as the company's CEO.
Biography
Born in the commune of Pierrefort in the Cantal department of France, having some Polish origins, Todt's motorsport career began when he took his father's Mini Cooper S for a ride with a friend. Thence he moved to various driving roles in rally series, but decided his strength was as a co-driver; he continued as such with the Peugeot Talbot Sport rally team until his retirement from competition in 1981.
The team moved Todt into a management-oriented position, charging him to organize the design and construction of the 205 Turbo 16 for the 1984 World Rally Championship season. After a slow start, the 205 won the world title in 1985 and 1986; other Todt-managed models continued to dominate, winning rally championships, hill climbs, and Le Mans into the 1990s. Peugeot, despite Todt's continual urging, refused to enter the Formula One Championship, and when a position opened at the recovering Ferrari F1 team, Todt took the opportunity. He has managed the Scuderia since; he was responsible for hiring Michael Schumacher in 1996, with whom came strategist Ross Brawn, and designer Rory Byrne. The fortunate combination produced a nearly-unbeatable team. Todt and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo have since been considered responsible for turning Ferrari from a has-been team, helpless without founder Enzo Ferrari, into the powerhouse it is today.
Following much speculation as to FIA President Max Mosley's impending retirement, rumors arose in 2004 to the effect that Todt would run for the office. Mosley commented that though Todt would make an excellent president, he was quite happy at Ferrari; however, it had long been assumed that when Michael Schumacher retired from F1, Todt would leave his job. In an apparent bid to maintain Todt's loyalty, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo promoted Todt to the head of the entire Ferrari operation, including street car production.
The French government has made Todt a Chevalier of its Legion d'Honneur. He was further honoured with the Grand Officier rank of the honour in January 2007. Also, in July 2006, Todt was given the official Malaysian title of 'Datuk Seri' by Sultan of Terengganu, which is the Malaysian equivalent of the British 'Sir' - he is now widely addressed in Malaysian media as Datuk Seri Jean Todt.
On September 28, 2005, Todt announced his engagement to former Bond girl and actress Michelle Yeoh.[1] Yeoh has subsequently denied the engagement. As recently as March 2007, Yeoh denied assertions as to an upcoming marriage. At the end of the 2006 season Michael Schumacher did indeed leave Ferrari for retirement and Todt was promoted to be the CEO of Ferrari, taking a step back from active day-to-day running of the team.
Todt's son Nicolas is a manager of Formula One drivers including Ferrari incumbent Felipe Massa.
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