LUCA:Todt Not Leaving Ferrari

Fiat board meeting was scheduled months ago to take place this week at the Ferrari factory, while there Luca announced yesterday that Jean Todt is not leaving Ferrari along with acknowledging his approval of Massa's new contract

Coincidentally, Ross Brawn came out in an interview praising Kimi, Phil, and the entire team. I understand that Ross was actually consulted about Massa's contract extention. Ross also did not want Alonso as stability is the key in 2008. Ferrari will be the most stable champioship team in 2008 when compared to McLaren, Renault,

Could this mean that Todt will continue to run Ferrari production, oversee the race team, but Ross Brawn will actually run the race operation and be the one on the pit wall? This way Todt goes out on top having won both championships in 2008, with a stable driver line up for another two seasons.

 

+1
Excellent news.Sounds like the deal is done to bring back Ross Brawn.

 

+1000

 

Great. Todt, the current driver lineup AND Brawn is the best thing that can happen to Ferrari.

 

Great News!!!

 

This is wonderful news!!

 

...AND when you thought you couldnt have it all...then TODT finally assumes his role and ROSS takes over Race duties?

THIS IS GREAT NEWS, what a great way to finish the year.

Luca is just great...it brings out the best of the Ferrari team.

 

I honestly think Ross makes a substantial difference in the team performance and thus morale. I think Brawn and Kimi could do some amazing things if on the same team as well. Ferrari>the rest

 

Todt going out as head of the team when the won the WCC and WDC as a way to move up is something that I hadn't thought of.

Great news. Winning gives options that losing just doesn't. SF will go forward as a unified and committed organization. McLarengate may actually have pulled the team together and made it easier for Brawn to come back. Schumi will probably be able to play a bigger role IF HE WANTS.

It's a win win to me any way you look at it.

FORZA FERRARI!

 

News???? As far as I can tell someone speculated about what might happen and suddenly it's a fact and Great News!

 

...many including me, were hoping for that, many speculated, but it wasnt official...now that it is, I can only feel happy for Ferrari.

 

Can you give us a link to where this official news has been published?

 

Ian , that's the great news I was referring to . You're right the rest of it we're just speculating.

 

No offense but haven't they proven they don't really need him?(Brawn)

 

In the end yes, but I remember there were some questionable tactical decisions this year when we said "Ouch, that wouldn't have happened with Brawn!". Like no one warning Massa about that red light in Canada and some tire issue, don't remember exactly where...

 

You can look at it both ways.
This season they made mistakes which arguably would not have happened if he was running the show, so in a way it showed just how much they did in fact need him.
On the other hand they won the titles without him aboard, so they showed they can do it without him.
It is not a dire need, but I still think they would be better off with him running the team. The guy is a strategic genius.

 

I have a feeling that Mr. Brawn was more involved in this year's championship than we know. He was a major part of the McLarengate hearings and it is now revealed, if proven to be true, that he had a hand in re-signing of Massa, which may be the ultimate reason that Massa was willing to help Kimi out at Brazil, as he no longer had to "prove" and "sell" his ability to other teams because his future is now secured. Can the team win without Brawn? maybe. Is the team better with him back? I think it is an overwhelming yes.

However, I think for this to work, Todt needs to leave the race team operation entirely and concentrate on Ferrari production and PR only, and let Brawn have full control of the race team. Brawn does not need someone to look over his shoulders, just like Todt did not want Luca to be looking over his shoulders.

 

Further up it is noted that Ross Brawn was consulted regarding keeping Massa on. Then farther down suddenly Ross Brawn is running Ferrari F1 and Todt has nothing to do on Sundays... how did that happen?
CH

 

I should have added that LDM also said the team line-up will be announced by Christmas. Being almost November, I have to believe that any contract with Ross Brawn is nearing the point of signatures.

 

I disagree. If anything, the internal team turmoil this seasons demonstrates exactly why they need the capabilities of Ross Brawn on board.

Had he stayed with the team, I think Ferrari would have won both titles long before Brazil.

 

You are probably right, and those team errors that Massa had to deal with would not have happened and Phil woulda been WDC.
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Flame suit on: I hate to say this but some of these errors wouldn't have happened if Nigel Stepney was on board.Things like Massa not having enough fuel and the tire mixup at Fuji were his responsibility as team coordinator . Keeps flame suit on.

 

Flame suit not required but I remember ('02?? or '04??) where while leading the Brazilian race, Rubens had "fuel pressure problems" (ran out of gas). Both Ross Brawn and good 'ole Nige were both on the team at the time. The people they have in place now are more than capable to bring on future success. If true about Ross Brawn coming back and Kimi having another year under his belt with the ferrari way, then this will only make them stronger next year.