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Jean Todt

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Jean Todt
Born
Jean Henri Todt

(1946-02-25) February 25, 1946 (age 80)
Pierrefort, Auvergne, France
Occupation(s)Motorsport executive, former rally co-driver
Years active1966–present
Known forPresident of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), CEO of Ferrari, director of Peugeot Talbot Sport

Jean Henri Todt (; born 25 February 1946) is a French motorsport executive and former rally co-driver. He held leadership roles including director of Peugeot Talbot Sport, team principal of Scuderia Ferrari's Formula 1 squad, and CEO of Ferrari from 2004 until 2008. From 2009 through 2021, he served as the ninth president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).

Todt launched his motorsport career in 1966 as a rally co-driver, achieving the Constructors' World Rally Championship with Talbot Lotus in 1981 alongside Guy Fréquelin. His guidance propelled Peugeot to secure four World Rally Championship titles (both drivers and manufacturers), four victories at the Paris-Dakar Rally, and two wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. While at Ferrari, his teams claimed a total of 13 Formula One World Championships across drivers and constructors. Michael Schumacher notably earned five successive World Drivers' Championships from 2000 to 2004, amassing 72 of his 91 race wins under Todt’s leadership.

Elected FIA President in October 2009, Todt was subsequently re-elected in December 2013 and December 2017, completing his mandate in December 2021. Additionally, on 29 April 2015, he was designated United Nations Special Envoy for Road Safety.

Life and career

Jean Todt was born in Pierrefort, a small community within the Auvergne region of France. Following his secondary education, he pursued studies at the Ecole des Cadres School of Economics and Business in Paris.

Rally co-driver: 1966 to 1981

Driven by a passion for motorsport, Todt embarked on his career as a co-driver in 1966 alongside Guy Chasseuil. His aptitude for precise calculations, strategic planning, and organisational skills quickly established him as a highly sought-after navigator. By 1969, he collaborated with prominent rally drivers such as Jean-Pierre Nicolas, Rauno Aaltonen, and Ove Andersson. He attained notable achievements co-driving for competitors including Jean-François Piot, Ove Andersson, and Hannu Mikkola.

In 1981, serving as co-driver to Guy Fréquelin with Talbot, a division of Peugeot, Todt contributed to winning the manufacturers’ World Rally Championship while finishing second in the drivers' standings. Concurrently, he began shifting focus towards team management and engaging with the FIA. Between 1975 and 1981, he also represented drivers on the FISA Rally Commission.

Director of Peugeot Talbot Sport: 1982 to 1993

After retiring from active competition in 1981, Todt was appointed Racing Director at Peugeot by CEO Jean Boillot amid challenges affecting both finances and brand reputation at PSA Peugeot Citroën. He established Peugeot Talbot Sport to spearhead the company’s return to motorsport prominence, overseeing development of legendary vehicles such as the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16, Peugeot 405 Turbo 16, and Peugeot 905.

Peugeot made its comeback to the World Rally Championship in 1984. The Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 secured back-to-back manufacturers' championships in 1985 and 1986 with drivers Timo Salonen and Juha Kankkunen. Following Henri Toivonen’s fatal accident in 1986, the FIA discontinued the hazardous Group B category.

In response, Todt adapted the 205 Turbo 16 for off-road competition aimed at the prestigious Paris-Dakar Rally. A notable moment occurred during the 1989 Paris-Dakar when he resolved tensions between drivers Ari Vatanen and Jacky Ickx by resorting to a coin toss to preserve team unity. Under his stewardship, Peugeot achieved four straight Paris-Dakar victories from 1987 through 1990 before withdrawing from off-road rallying, leaving Citroën to dominate with its ZX Rallye-Raid.

Todt’s leadership culminated in endurance racing triumphs: Peugeot claimed victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours with their Peugeot 905 piloted by Derek Warwick, Yannick Dalmas, and Mark Blundell. The following year saw Peugeot accomplish a historic podium sweep at Le Mans in 1993 with three Peugeot 905s driven by Geoff Brabham, Christophe Bouchut, and Éric Hélary.

General Manager of Scuderia Ferrari: 1994 to 2007

In 1993, at the age of 47, Todt concluded his 12-year period with Peugeot Talbot Sport and was appointed by Luca di Montezemolo, then CEO of Scuderia Ferrari. On 1 July, during the French Grand Prix, he assumed the position of General Manager for the Racing Division, overseeing a workforce of approximately 400 engineers and technicians.

As the first non-Italian leader since Marco Piccinini, Todt confronted the challenge of reviving Ferrari amid one of its most turbulent phases. The team was plagued by internal disputes and a partially outsourced production process, compounded by the absence of a drivers' championship title since 1979. To address these issues, Todt reorganized the management structure within the Racing Division.

Under Todt’s guidance in 1994, Gerhard Berger achieved Ferrari’s first victory in four years at the German Grand Prix. Despite this success, Ferrari faced stiff rivalry from teams like Michael Schumacher’s Benetton-Ford and the Williams-Renault outfits. By the end of 1995, Todt secured Schumacher’s signing to Ferrari.

In 1996, Schumacher claimed wins at the Spanish, Belgian, and Italian Grands Prix. Todt further enhanced the technical department by recruiting former Benetton personnel: designer Rory Byrne and technical director Ross Brawn, who replaced John Barnard.

Although Ferrari narrowly missed out on drivers' championships in 1997 and 1998 due to intense competition and Schumacher’s injury setback in 1999, Todt successfully led the team to clinch the Constructors' Championship that same year despite Schumacher’s absence. From 2000 through 2004, Schumacher won five consecutive world titles while Ferrari secured six straight Constructors' Championships, establishing an unmatched era of supremacy until Mercedes’ dominance between 2014 and 2020.

CEO and Special Advisor at Ferrari: 2004 to 2009

On 1 June 2004, Todt was promoted to CEO of Ferrari while maintaining his responsibilities as General Manager of the Racing Division. After an intensely competitive 2006 season and following Schumacher’s retirement, Todt shifted roles in October to become Special Advisor for Scuderia Ferrari.

He played a key role in preparing for Stefano Domenicali’s appointment as head of Scuderia Ferrari starting 1 January 2008. Todt stepped down from his Special Advisor position on 18 March 2008, with Amedeo Felisa succeeding him, but continued serving on Ferrari’s board until March 2009 when he departed all company positions.

President of FIA

In April 2009, Todt took on the presidency of "eSafety Aware!", an initiative promoting intelligent vehicle technologies and safety systems, which broadened his insight into FIA operations.

On 16 July 2009, he declared his candidacy for FIA President with endorsement from outgoing President Max Mosley, who opted not to run for another term. Todt competed against former world rally champion Ari Vatanen. On 23 October 2009, he was elected FIA President by a vote margin of 135 to 49. He was re-elected without opposition for subsequent four-year terms in December 2013 and December 2017. His tenure concluded in December 2021, when he was succeeded by Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy

Since April 29, 2015, Todt has held the position of Special Envoy for Road Safety appointed by then-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. This appointment was reaffirmed by his successor, António Guterres, in April 2017.

Additional Engagements

Todt is a co-founder and currently serves as vice-president of the Institut du cerveau et de la moelle épinière (ICM), an institution dedicated to research on the brain and spinal cord since 2005. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees at the FIA Foundation for the Automobile and Society since 2009 and has presided over the Suu Foundation since 2014. Between 2009 and 2015, he acted as Tourism Ambassador for Malaysia. Since 2015, he has also been a board member of the International Peace Institute. Beginning in April 2017, Todt became involved with the International Olympic Committee Commission focused on Public Affairs and Social Development through Sport.

In January 2018, Todt joined the board of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens. Additionally, he holds directorship roles at Gaumont Film Company, Groupe Lucien Barrière, and Edmond de Rothschild SA.

Since 2003, Todt has been Honorary President of the Federazione Auto Motoristica Sammarinese (FAMS) and serves as an Ambassador for the Republic of San Marino. Furthermore, he is an honorary member of both the Automobile Club of France and Polo de Paris.

Achievements as Co-driver

Over fifty-four WRC events as co-driver, Todt achieved four wins between 1973 and 1981:

Additional podium finishes include second-place results at Monte-Carlo Rally (1973, 1975, 1981) and Rallye du Maroc (1970), plus third places at Monte-Carlo Rally (1972) among other notable events.

Achievements as Team Principal/Director

  • Secured World Rally Championship titles with Peugeot Talbot Sport/Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 in both 1985 and 1986, capturing drivers’ and manufacturers’ crowns
  • Achieved victories in the German Rally Championship in 1985 (Kalle Grundel) and 1986 (Michèle Mouton) piloting the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16
  • Dominated the Paris-Dakar Rally with Peugeot Talbot Sport, winning four consecutive editions from 1987 through 1990
  • Triumphed at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 1988 and 1989 driving the Peugeot 405 Turbo 16
  • Claimed three straight French Rallycross Championships between 1988 and 1990 under Peugeot Talbot Sport
  • Captured the Andros Elite Trophy in 1990 behind the wheel of a Peugeot 205 Turbo 16
  • Won both drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles in the World Sportscar Championship in 1992 with Peugeot Talbot Sport/Peugeot 905
  • Achieved back-to-back victories at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1992 and 1993 with Peugeot Talbot Sport/Peugeot 905
  • Secured eight Formula One World Constructors’ Championships for Scuderia Ferrari from 1999 to 2008, amassing a total of 106 Grand Prix wins
  • Garnered six Formula One World Drivers' Championships with Ferrari, including five consecutive titles by Michael Schumacher (2000–2004) and one by Kimi Räikkönen (2007)

Titles and distinctions

Jean Todt has been honored with numerous prestigious awards, such as:

  • Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour awarded in 2011
  • Gold Medal for Youth and Sports received in 1987
  • Officer rank within the National Order of Merit, bestowed in 1991
  • Commander of the Italian Republic, honored in 2002
  • Honorary Doctorate (Doctor Honoris Causa) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florence granted in 2004
  • Bestowed with the title of Dato Seri by Malaysia in 2006
  • Inducted as a member of Ukraine’s Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise in 2011
  • Appointed Grand Officer of San Marino’s Order of Saint Agatha in 2012
  • Commander of Senegal’s National Order of Merit awarded in 2013
  • Recipient of Bahrain’s First Class Medal in 2014
  • Awarded Russia’s Order of Friendship medal in 2015
  • Honored with the Palme d'Or at the International Automobile Festival in 2015
  • Named Humanitarian of the Year by the United Nations Association New York in 2016
  • Conferred Doctor Honoris Causa by Sofia’s National Sports Academy in 2017
  • Awarded the Medal of the Order of St. George at SemperOpernball in 2019
  • Elevated to Commander of Monaco’s Order of Saint-Charles in 2020

Management positions

  • Led Peugeot Talbot Sport from 1982 until 1993
  • Held key roles at Scuderia Ferrari between 1993 and 2008:
    • General Manager of Ferrari Racing Division (1993–2007)
    • CEO of Ferrari from 2004 to 2006
    • Served as Special Advisor to Ferrari between 2006 and 2009
  • Presided over the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile from 2009 through to 2021

Personal life

Since 2004, Todt has been partnered with Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, whom he married on July 27, 2023, in Geneva. He is father to Nicolas Todt from a previous marriage; Nicolas is a driver manager and former co-owner of ART Grand Prix.

See also

External links

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