STEFANO DOMENICALI/ROSS BRAWN On Jean Todt

(from autosport)


Ferrari's team principal Stefano Domenicali has paid tribute to Jean Todt, after the Frenchman announced he was stepping down as CEO of the Italian company.

Todt handed over as team principal to Domenicali at the end of last year and announced on Tuesday he was also resigning as Ferrari chief executive officer.

He will remain as a board member and will carry out special assignments for the Italian squad's racing operations.

"For me this decision obviously didn't come as a surprise, as Todt told me about it beforehand," Domenicali was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It doesn't change much: Todt, as also appointed by president Montezemolo, will remain a reference point, a source of precious advice, which I won't take advantage of just this weekend, but also during the course of the season. Because I want to stress that he is not leaving the Ferrari family.

"In the 15 years I've spent around Todt I've learned a lot, for example to never give up even at the most difficult times, to demand the maximum from everyone starting from myself, and to dedicate myself completely to the job."

Todt was also praised by former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn, with whom the Frenchman enjoyed Ferrari's most successful period with six constructors' titles in a row between 1999 and 2004.

"An era ends and another one starts," Brawn, now at Honda, told the Italian newspaper. "I can't say anything but good things about Jean: he has been an example for his dedication to his job and in the long period we spent together we got along very well. He always supported me.

"Now the page turns. At Maranello we built a healthy structure, there are capable people who deserve the new responsibilities, like Stefano Domenicali.

"And even if the beginning of the season hasn't been happy for them, I carry on believing that Ferrari will fight for the title with McLaren."