Ferrari says farewell to Jean Todt
Stefano Domenicali Aldo Costa and Gilles Simon spoke in front of the Scuderia Ferrari at the traditional meeting at the beginning of the season with CEO Amedeo Felisa and Jean Todt, taking part for the last time.
Domenicali thanked everybody for the work over the last months and reminded everybody to remain concentrated. "It will be a very demanding season, as usual. We've got a new single-seater, which we've prepared with less miles of tests, due to the rules. But you've been really brave and we're leaving for Melbourne convinced that we can fight for the top positions as usual."
"It won't be easy," Domenicali said, "and we've got to remain concentrated. Our strength is the Team, this is what distinguishes us from the other teams. We know about our responsibilities, but we know about being a the Team Ferrari more than anything else."
After Aldo Costa and Gilles Simon, who spoke about the technical details, Stefano Domenicali invited Jean Todt on stage for his last speech to "his boys".
Todt thanked everybody for the magnificent experience of his 16 years at Ferrari, for the commitment and for the team spirit. "Life at Ferrari is unique, always intense. As our President Luca di Montezemolo says, the people are important and it's you who make the difference. No driver or technician can make it alone."
Domenicali presented Jean Todt with the wheel of a Formula 1 single-seater with a plaque reading "To Jean Todt, who steered us for many years. With affection, Scuderia Ferrari."
Jean Todt was honoured with a long applause and the guys from the Scuderia all wanted to give him their hands. They all received hand-written letters from Todt in which he also wrote that "Ferrari is unique company, which will always stay in my heart" (...). "At the beginning of the Formula 1 Championship, my best wishes for the success you deserve."
Jean Todt's evening went on at the Industrial Department, where he met the management and receiving a Prancing Horse made out of aluminium to remember his years at Ferrari.
