Jean Todt

Jean Henri Todt (born 25 February 1946 in Pierrefort, France) is a seminal figure in international motorsport, renowned for his transition from a celebrated rally co‑driver to one of the most influential executives in the sport. His early fascination with racing began in the 1960s when he borrowed his parents' Mini Cooper to compete in local events, quickly establishing a reputation for precise navigation and strategic insight; by 1969 he was partnering with world‑class drivers such as Jean‑Pierre Nicolas and Hannu Mikkola. From 1966 to 1981 Todt co‑driven in the World Rally Championship, culminating in a 1981 manufacturers' title with Guy Fréquelin and a runner‑up finish in the drivers' standings, achievements that underscored his tactical acumen. After retiring from active competition, he was appointed Director of Racing for Peugeot Talbot Sport in 1982, where he orchestrated the creation of iconic machines like the 205 Turbo 16 and led the team to multiple World Rally Championships, four consecutive Paris‑Dakar victories, and back‑to‑back Le Mans wins in 1992 and 1993. In 1993 Todt was recruited by Luca di Montezemolo to become General Manager of Scuderia Ferrari; his restructuring of the racing division set the stage for an unprecedented era of dominance, highlighted by thirteen Formula One World Championship titles (six drivers’ and seven constructors’ titles) between 1999 and 2008, largely driven by Michael Schumacher’s five‑year winning streak. Ascending to the role of CEO of Ferrari in 2004, he later served as Special Advisor before entering governance as President of the FIA from 2009 to 2021, championing safety initiatives and the promotion of e‑mobility. Since 2015, Todt has also acted as the United Nations Special Envoy for Road Safety, leveraging his extensive experience to influence global policy. Married to actress Michelle Yeoh in 2023, he is the father of Nicolas Todt, a prominent driver manager, and continues to be active in various charitable and advisory capacities across the automotive and sports sectors.