Todt, whose son Nicolas is currently managing 2008 runner-up Felipe Massa and Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Bourdais, confirmed that he will retire from his position within the FIA but did not mention when exactly. Some sources have suggested that he may end his tenure in March, just before the start of the new season.
Although he had parted ways with the Scuderia two years ago, he continued to represent the Italian team in the Council for the past year. The Maranello outfit will therefore have to nominate another person to take over from the 62-year old Frenchman in the 26-member Council in two months time.
Todt has been part of Ferrari's most dominant eras in the history of Formula 1, following the signing of Michael Schumacher and technical director Ross Brawn in 1996. The trio clinched no less than 6 manufacturers' titles for Ferrari, while also making Schumacher the winningest driver in the history of the sport. The German won 5 world titles of his own, before pulling out from the sport at the end of 2006. Todt stayed for one more year, leading Ferrari through the Spygate and into winning a 7th world title under his command.
Many believe that his decision to renounce the position within the World Motor Sport Council is linked with the possibility to run for the FIA presidency later this year. The Frenchman was believed to have been interested in giving Max Mosley a run for his seat back in 2004, but he decided he'd be better off continuing his work with Ferrari at the time.
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