“I see Michael at least twice a month”– Jean Todt says that despite innumerable responsibilities, he makes sure to give a visit to Michael Schumacher.
Jean Todt and Michael Schumacher together dominated Formula 1 for half a decade, but a few years later, to their separation, Schumacher obtained brain injury damage from an accident while skiing.
Since then, Todt has been a regular attendee at Schumacher’s place, even though the German’s family has drawn curtains on his health situation for his fans.
But Todt is among an exception, and at times is the only source of his health situation. The FIA chief talked about how he makes sure to visit him even though he has a bundle of responsibilities.
“I see Michael at least twice a month,” Todt told Italian publication Corriere della Sera when asked if the health pandemic had put a stop to him seeing the seven-time World Champion.
“I don’t leave him alone. Him, Corinna, the family: we’ve had so many experiences together. The beauty of what we have experienced is part of us and it goes on.”
“I have plenty of commitments: road safety for the UN, president of Aung San Suu Kyi’s foundation, and then the International Peace Institute.
“I’m on the boards of banks, cinemas and hotels. And I am proud to have created the Brain and Spinal Cord Research Institute, to which Michael Schumacher contributed.”
Ferrari needs a whole package.
Ferrari was a force to reckon with in Todt’s era, but now that team is a shadow of its former self. The Frenchman believes that the Maranello based team needs an overhaul to regain the former strength.
“They need the whole package,” he said. “Car, engine, chassis, aerodynamics. You have to have everything at the highest level. A few thousandths of a second can decide.
“I admire Mercedes’ dominance, even if I don’t like it and I’d like more competition, but for eight years, the team and Hamilton have always been on the ball.
“They could have relaxed and it didn’t happen. Their motivation and hunger are absolute. I would prefer more teams and more drivers involved but I’ll say it again…F1 and motor racing need a strong Ferrari.”
