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Walking away? Titles secured, Todt might retire at right time
SEPANG, Malaysia (Reuters) -- Frenchman Jean Todt, the architect of Ferrari's double Formula One triumph, hinted on Monday he may not stay long-term with the Italian team. After Ferrari added the constructors' world championship to their first drivers' title in 21 years, won by German Michael Schumacher in Japan two weeks ago, Todt said he would not be deciding his future in a hurry. Schumacher's fourth successive win, in Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix, sealed the teams' title and the double. “Yes, this is the end of a challenge for me, or at least the completion of a project, and it is a very satisfying moment for me,” Todt said. “I came to Ferrari to do this and I am happy to have done the job. “It gives me a very warm glow of satisfaction. I love challenges and this has been a successful one now for me.” Asked about his future beyond the end of next year, when his current Ferrari contract ends, Todt said he did not know what he would do. “I love motor racing, but I don't know what I want to do. There are other things in my life and I need to reflect and have some time. I do not want to work like I have been working these past few years for the rest of my life.” Todt, 54, joined Ferrari in 1993 after a successful spell in charge of Peugeot's rally team. His brief from Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo was to rebuild the famous Italian outfit and lead them back to glory. He did so by recruiting Schumacher from Benetton after his second title-winning season in 1995 and then bringing in his Benetton technical director Ross Brawn and designer Rory Byrne. Brawn, the tactician behind many of Schumacher's race victories, arrived in 1997. Todt acknowledged recently that he felt his work, as the builder of the team, was virtually over, but that he still worked long hours keeping things progressing smoothly. “I am a cautious man and I like to do things carefully and well,” he said. “Now I am already looking forward and planning. I want us to start well the next season. After that, we will see...”
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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