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Ferrari GM offers resignation
Posted: Monday October 18, 1999 02:26 PM
MARANELLO, Italy (AP) - Ferrari general manager Jean Todt offered to resign Monday in the aftermath of the Formula One team's double disqualification at the Malayian Grand Prix. Todt said his offer to quit was rejected by Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo. But indications were that a final decision on the Frenchman's job status won't be made until after the Oct. 31 season-ending race at Suzuka, Japan. "Today was not the time for internal investigations or squabbles," Ferrari spokesman spokesman Antonio Ghini said. "We all need to work and continue to believe in [our chances for] this world championship." Ferrari teammates Eddie Irvine and Michael Schumacher finished first and second, respectively, in Sunday's Malaysian GP, but those results were wiped out because deflector panels on the cars did not meet regulations. The ruling handed the race -- and, effectively, the world championship -- to Mercedes-McLaren driver Mika Hakkinen, who finished third Sunday. "I take the blame completely," said Todt, who has been with Ferrari since 1993, "and I told [Montezemolo] I would abide by whatever move he thinks is the right one." Todt acknowledged Monday that the deflector panels were irregular, but said it was unintentional and "did not give us any advantage." The International Automobile Federation said Monday its appeals court will meet in Paris on Friday to rule on an appeal by Ferrari. "We maintain that the punishment --double disqualification -- does not fit the crime," Todt said.
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