Jean Todt reveals Red Bull approached him after his Ferrari exit, but he said no

In a candid reflection on his post-Ferrari career, former team principal Jean Todt has disclosed that he was courted by Red Bull shortly after his departure from Maranello. Despite the allure of leading another major motorsport operation, Todt ultimately declined the offer, marking a definitive end to his tenure in team management.

A legacy at Maranello

The Red Bull overture

“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,” Todt revealed during an appearance on the High Performance podcast.

Despite the prestige of the offer, Todt’s decision was swift. “I said no because for me, this chapter was over,” he explained. “I was running an iconic brand with success. So in a way, I could not do better, and I wanted to do other things.”

A shift in perspective

For Todt, the decision to walk away from the paddock’s high-stakes environment was driven by a desire to pivot toward humanitarian efforts. Reflecting on his motivations, he noted that the competitive nature of the sport can often obscure broader realities.

“It was time for me to give something back,” Todt said. “In some worlds, when there is competitiveness, money, people forget that. That's why it is important to travel to see poverty, to see people who don't have access to medical care, people who don't have access to public transportation, and to try to give a little hand.”

While he acknowledged the limitations of his impact, he emphasized the personal fulfillment found in his philanthropic work. “It would be very presumptuous to say that we are changing the world, but even giving a little, see the eyes of people who are in need, who smile, make people smile, it's a win. It's a different win, but I think it is very important.”

Following his departure from team management, Todt transitioned into a new phase of his career, serving as FIA president from 2009 until 2021.