Binotto: Todt Ferrari return ‘only speculation, so far…’

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto says there has not been contact between the team and Jean Todt, but did not rule out a future move.

Todt is due to leave his current role as FIA president after a third term in the position, and has beenlinked with a return to Ferrariin a consultancy role heading into the 2022 season.

The 75-year-old was one of the figureheads of Ferrari’s dominant period in Formula 1 in the early 2000s, having been the team’s general manager at the time when they and Michael Schumacher were the class of the field.

A report fromCorriere della Serain Italy claimed the former team boss could be on his way back to Maranello – and that news has reached the current team principal.

He was quick to say no official communication has been made between the team and Todt, but Binotto did not rule out the idea when speaking to reporters – praising the influence his former boss has had on his own career.

“I heard and I read about some speculation in that respect,” said Binotto, quoted by GPFans. “What I can say is so far it is only speculation.

“Personally, I have worked with Jean Todt. He has been my boss and I think I learned a lot from him.

“It has been an honour to work with him and I would say that as well, whatever will be the case in the future, it will still be an honour for me to work together with him because I still believe that, as Mattia and as a team, there is still much to learn.”

He added to Sky Italia: “Speaking about if he can be necessary and useful, I believe as a team there is always room for improvement. Bringing added value to a team is always what someone can try to achieve. There is still a lot to learn and for sure from someone like him there is an opportunity to grow.”

The Frenchman oversaw the team on their way to eight Constructors’ Championship titles and six Drivers’ crowns with Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen.

After stepping down as general manager, he aided the transition as now-Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali took the reins with the Scuderia, and Todt then transitioned to becoming a special advisor to theFerrariboard.

Additional reporting by Luca Brambilla.