Brawn to be Ferrari boss in 2008
After Brawn took a sabbatical this season, he is now looking to return to formula one next year, but has previously ruled out resuming his role as a technical director.
And Frenchman Todt told reporters in the Istanbul paddock that, despite earlier contemplating retirement, he is now "not at all prepared" to walk away from the sport.
"I feel still very motivated," the 61-year-old explained, "so I hope I can be here a few more years.
"Bernie (Ecclestone), when you ask him, with 15 years (in age) difference, is still very motivated. So for me I am not thinking at all about stopping working."
Todt confirmed that the first talks with Brawn kicked off at Maranello recently, but he explained that "no commitment from either side" has yet been made.
"We are just discussing about his options, and our options. Maybe we will find some common point, maybe we will not."
08/24/07 Speculation over the future plans of Ross Brawn, the former Ferrari formula one technical director who has been enjoying a sabbatical this year in the aftermath of Michael Schumacher's retirement, has intensified after he met with Jean Todt, the company's executive director, to discuss the prospect of returning to the company. "The matter is still open on both sides," said the Ferrari team spokesman Luca Colajanni. "No deal has been concluded, but the fact that talks have taken place is positive." Brawn helped mastermind Ferrari's five world championships with Schumacher.
06/27/07 (GMM) Ross Brawn will almost certainly take over from Jean Todt next year as boss of Ferrari's formula one team.
That is the information of the German newspaper Bild, which said the highly respected British engineer is sure to return to the Maranello based team from his one-year sabbatical in 2008 despite offers from rival outfits including Honda.
The 52-year-old's new post could also entice Michael Schumacher into a more prominent position at Ferrari, with Bild speculating that the retired seven time world champion is using his visits to races this year to learn the ropes before becoming a key strategic expert.
Schumacher, 38, is already scheduled to appear again at Magny Cours.
Bild quoted Brawn as confirming that he will not return to Ferrari to be technical director next year, "but there could be new possibilities on the race team."