Ferrari boss Jean Todt intends to take a leaf out of Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone's book and stay in the sport long after others are picking up their pensions.
"I am not at all prepared to retire," the 61-year-old Frenchman told reporters after Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix rewarded him with a Ferrari one-two. Former champions Ferrari are now just 11 points behind McLaren in the constructors' standings with five races remaining.
"I feel still very motivated, with the same anxiousness before every race. The same happiness when we are successful.The same unhappiness when we are not successful," said Todt. "So I hope I can still do this for a few more years," he added.
"When you see Bernie... there is 15 years difference but he is still very motivated. For me the same thing. I am not thinking at all about stopping working. I am sorry."
Ecclestone, 76, has been Formula One's commercial kingpin for decades and the billionaire Briton has made clear that he has no intention of stepping aside. Todt's future at Ferrari has been uncertain since last season, when technical director Ross Brawn took a year's sabbatical and seven times world champion Michael Schumacher retired.
There has been considerable speculation since that Brawn could return as Ferrari team boss with Todt stepping down. Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said last October that Todt would be 'interim' managing director this year. In practice, he has appeared as hands-on as ever, while talk of Schumacher joining in a managerial role has receded,with the German making clear he has no intention of becoming a regular in the paddock again.
Brawn has meanwhile being enjoying his vacation but Todt said there had been talks with the Briton about a possible return and there was more discussion to come.
"At the moment no commitment from either side has been made," he said. "We are just discussing about his options, our options. Maybe we will find some common point, maybe we will not find some common point. "But still we will always be friends, we will always have respect for each other. He has been doing a tremendous work at Ferrari and Ferrari have given him a lot. So our partnership has been good for him and good for Ferrari."
"I am not at all prepared to retire," the 61-year-old Frenchman told reporters after Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix rewarded him with a Ferrari one-two. Former champions Ferrari are now just 11 points behind McLaren in the constructors' standings with five races remaining.
"I feel still very motivated, with the same anxiousness before every race. The same happiness when we are successful.The same unhappiness when we are not successful," said Todt. "So I hope I can still do this for a few more years," he added.
"When you see Bernie... there is 15 years difference but he is still very motivated. For me the same thing. I am not thinking at all about stopping working. I am sorry."
Ecclestone, 76, has been Formula One's commercial kingpin for decades and the billionaire Briton has made clear that he has no intention of stepping aside. Todt's future at Ferrari has been uncertain since last season, when technical director Ross Brawn took a year's sabbatical and seven times world champion Michael Schumacher retired.
There has been considerable speculation since that Brawn could return as Ferrari team boss with Todt stepping down. Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said last October that Todt would be 'interim' managing director this year. In practice, he has appeared as hands-on as ever, while talk of Schumacher joining in a managerial role has receded,with the German making clear he has no intention of becoming a regular in the paddock again.
Brawn has meanwhile being enjoying his vacation but Todt said there had been talks with the Briton about a possible return and there was more discussion to come.
"At the moment no commitment from either side has been made," he said. "We are just discussing about his options, our options. Maybe we will find some common point, maybe we will not find some common point. "But still we will always be friends, we will always have respect for each other. He has been doing a tremendous work at Ferrari and Ferrari have given him a lot. So our partnership has been good for him and good for Ferrari."