Today is the tenth anniversary of Jean Todt’s appointment as head of the Gestione Sportiva. Michael Schumacher wanted to surprise Jean Todt by writing a piece published this morning exclusively in the Italian newspaper “Corriere della Sera.” This is what Michael wrote:

“When I arrived at Ferrari, at the end of 1995, I expected many things, but not that I would find a friend for life in Jean Todt. We have become so close that I have often joked that, through him I have acquired a new brother in the shape of his son Nicolas. With Jean, we discuss everything, not just the obvious subject of our work in Formula 1. We spend a lot of time together, outside our professional lives. For example, in winter we often meet up at my house in Norway and going on skiing trips, stopping the night in an isolated cabin, which is the sort of thing you only do with really close friends.

The way Jean works is absolutely incredible and I don’t where he finds the energy. I could never imagine spending fifteen or sixteen hours in the office every day. Jean dedicates all his energies to the team and gets involved in every single detail. He is never distracted and is always a hundred percent motivated, ready to urge everyone on to reach our objectives. There was a time when the Scuderia was seen as a team riddled with politics. Now however it is known as a model of internal harmony and that is one of the secrets of our success. This is mainly down to Jean and it is the mark he has made on the team, with the constant support of our president, Luca di Montezemolo.

Jean and I have gone through good times and bad times together and these are what have brought us closer together. I have to say I am full of admiration for him.”