Ferrari is not sick, only a bit tired - Todt

  • Published on 15 Dec 2014 12:12
  • comments 1
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Jean Todt has urged Ferrari to resist making revolutionary changes after faltering at the start of the new V6 era. Before becoming FIA president, Frenchman Todt presided over Ferrari's ultra-successful Michael Schumacher era, culminating in the most recent drivers' title earned by Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.

In 2014, the Maranello marque has appeared in crisis as Stefano Domenicali, Luca di Montezemolo, Marco Mattiacci, Fernando Alonso and others all left. Todt, however, told the Italian broadcaster Rai that while Ferrari needed a refresh, the team should do so "without a revolution".

"Ferrari is not sick," he insisted. "That is a little too exaggerated. We all know the great charm of Ferrari in the world but even more so in Italy, where it is a very emotional issue. This fascination sometimes means Ferrari makes decisions faster than some other teams. You could say that Ferrari is like someone who is a bit tired and needs to go to the doctor," he said.

"The situation needs to be analysed in detail and make its plan for improving, but without a revolution. Winning is part of the history of Ferrari, but you cannot always win. I remember when we started winning, many began to say they were tired of winning because you knew the result before the race. The truth is that satisfaction does not exist in either situation."

Todt, 68, hailed Ferrari's new team boss Maurizio Arrivabene, and also 2015 driver Sebastian Vettel, who he described as "one of the best". Finally, he mentioned his great friend Schumacher, whom he visits at his home in Switzerland "at least once a week". "It's true, it's been a year (since the accident), but he is young and has plenty of time to recover," said Todt. (GMM)

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • Too bad that, for several years, Ferrari din't also "get tired" of losing, "because you knew the result before the race" (more losing and gradual, but steady, drop-back in qualifying and race-end positions).

    My impression is NOT of a team that is tired, but one which BECAME LAZY, because of traditionally being over-compensated for its contributions to F1, and that tried to slide by on his reputation. Then, when that didn't work and tifolsi & media started to wail, they resorted to shmozy "salemen" like Mattiacci (not seasoned grid folks) to try to paper over the deep organic problems and stem the criticism. That said, I think that it is good that they are cleaning house, shaking up internal contributors, and getting refocused on what they must to in order to preserve the troubled reputation of their brand.

    • + 0
    • Dec 16 2014 - 08:42

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 564
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 162
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (43)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar