Jean Todt has revealed that Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz approached him to lead the team’s Formula 1 operation after his departure from Ferrari in 2008, an offer the Frenchman declined as he shifted his focus toward humanitarian work and motorsport governance.
Todt, who served as Ferrari team principal from 1993 to 2007, oversaw one of the most dominant periods in the sport’s history. Under his leadership, the Scuderia secured seven constructors’ championships and six drivers’ titles before Stefano Domenicali succeeded him in 2008. Beyond his team principal role, Todt was appointed general manager of Ferrari S.p.A in 2004 and became CEO two years later, resigning from the latter position in March 2008.
Mateschitz’s Approach
Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Todt disclosed the extent of Mateschitz’s interest in bringing him to Red Bull during the pivotal transition period.
“I decided in 2008 that it was time to give something back. My interest is to give something back. Incidentally, I remember when I left Ferrari, Dietrich Mateschitz wanted me to join, so he came to have lunch at home in Paris with me twice.”
The role would have encompassed running both the Formula 1 team and Red Bull’s broader motorsport activities, a significant portfolio that reflected Mateschitz’s ambitions for the energy drink company’s racing empire.
“To run the team and to run the motorsport activities of Red Bull. And I said no because for me, this chapter was over.”
A Different Path
Todt explained that his decision stemmed from a sense of completion after achieving unparalleled success with Ferrari. Having led an iconic manufacturer to the pinnacle of the sport, he felt the competitive chapter of his career had reached its natural conclusion.
“I was running an iconic brand with success. So in a way, I could not do better, and I wanted to do other things. And it was time for me to give something back. It was a part of my life, and it’s still the part of my life where I want to give something back.”
Rather than continue in team management, Todt turned his attention to humanitarian causes and motorsport governance. He emphasized the importance of contributing beyond the competitive arena, citing his desire to support communities lacking access to medical care and public transportation.
In 2009, Todt was elected president of the FIA, the sport’s governing body, a position he held until 2021. His tenure included efforts to improve safety standards, promote sustainability initiatives, and expand motorsport’s global reach. The role allowed him to influence the sport from a different vantage point while pursuing the philanthropic work he had prioritised after leaving Ferrari.
Red Bull’s Trajectory
While Todt declined the opportunity, Red Bull went on to establish itself as a dominant force in Formula 1. The team claimed four consecutive constructors’ and drivers’ championships from 2010 to 2013 with Sebastian Vettel, and has remained a front-running outfit throughout the subsequent years, including Max Verstappen’s championship successes in the 2020s.
Todt’s revelation offers a glimpse into the sliding-doors moments that shape team structures and careers in Formula 1. Had he accepted Mateschitz’s offer, the trajectories of both Red Bull and the FIA might have unfolded very differently over the past 18 years.