Todt satisfied with his relationship with Montezemolo

Jean Todt downplayed rumors that he had left his position as sporting director at the request of his Ferrari colleague Luca di Montezemolo.

After 15 years with Scuderia as the sports director, meaning team principal, the Frenchman Todt has finally resigned, while opening other doors such as head of the Maranello base, the decision-making center of the Ferrari brand.

But recently, some rumors have hinted at increasingly strained relations between the 61-year-old Frenchman and Montezemolo, who is the president of Ferrari but also the president of FIAT, the Italian parent brand.

Asked about these speculations by the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, Todt stated: « If I look back a little at my career with the Scuderia, the thing I am most proud of is that I survived 15 years in this position and I am still able, even at 61, to determine my future. »

« I have no problem with Montezemolo, » he immediately added.

« We maintain a completely friendly relationship towards each other, even if we don’t always agree on certain subjects. I am not a man who says ‘yes’ to everything. We have open discussions. »

« To date, I am happy because as long as I can help Ferrari, I’m fine with that. Even today, I am still part of the decision-makers, » said Todt.

It is also said that the next goal of the Frenchman would be to drop the Italian team, with the aim of replacing Max Mosley as the head of the FIA. The latter was repeatedly pressured in 2007 to retire.

« This is not a question I will answer today. Despite all the hostilities, Max Mosley is doing a good job and I have no intention of opposing that. On the contrary, I want to ensure that this work continues to be productive, » he concluded.