Friday 17th December 2021
Formula 1 boss pays tribute to Schumacher
“I miss Michael with us tonight”
An era is coming to an end for Formula 1: Jean Todt is stepping down as FIA President. That is why he is honored and takes the floor himself. He congratulated Verstappen, criticized Mercedes – and emotionally reminiscent of Michael Schumacher.
The first world title for Max Verstappen, it is also a very special one for Jean Todt. It is the last trophy presented to a Formula 1 driver as FIA President. The head of the World Motorsport Federation is stepping down from his position. For this he was honored at the gala in Paris and received the helmets of all pilots as a farewell gift.
In his speech, the Frenchman was very emotional: “I miss Michael here tonight,” said Todt. “Because it is part of my life, it always will be, and we built so many things together because we suffered together. That made us stronger.”
Todt was formerly the Formula 1 team boss for Schumacher’s world championship titles with Ferrari, they had to do years of development work for the Italians. Their time together became the most successful of the Scuderia: Ferrari won five drivers ‘and six constructors’ titles.
In 2009 he followed the Englishman Max Mosley at the FIA. For this year’s election, each FIA candidate was allowed to bring six people to support them, noted Todt. “I remember that twelve years ago I had three people with me: my wife, Michael and my son. And that’s something I will never forget.”
Schumacher has been shielded from the public since his skiing accident at the end of 2013. Despite wearing a helmet, he had suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in a fall and was in mortal danger for days. How he is doing is not known, and details about his health are not published. Todt is in regular contact with the Schumacher family and visits the record world champions from time to time.
Criticism of Mercedes
But there was no shortage of criticism either – of Mercedes. Both the defeated record champion Lewis Hamilton and team boss Toto Wolff boycotted the evening in Paris. The fact that the eighth title in a row for a constructor – Formula 1 record – could not be properly recognized, bothered FIA boss Jean Todt: “I think it’s a shame that Mercedes does not want to be honored. The eighth constructors’ championship -Title is unique. ”
The reason for the absence of the main Mercedes players was the events of the last Formula 1 race of the season last week in Abu Dhabi, when Hamilton in the last lap of the year after a much discussed restart decision by the race management following a safety car -Phase still lost the title that was believed to be safe. Todt supported the new champion Verstappen: “He got what he deserved. He had a great season. Yes, it’s human to concentrate on the last lap. And it is true that Max, good luck had. But you have to watch the whole season. “
Todt confirmed his stance with a look back at Verstappen’s season: “Was he lucky in Azerbaijan (blown tire, editor’s note), Silverstone (shot down by Hamilton) and Budapest (shot down by Bottas)? No! In the end everything balances out . He deserves the title. “