Jean Todt reveals Red Bull wanted him after Ferrari, and why he rejected the offer

Former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt has revealed that he was approached by Red Bull after his exit from the Maranello outfit, and why he chose to turn the opportunity down. 

Todt served as Ferrari team principal from 1993 to 2007, during which time the team secured seven constructors' titles and six drivers' titles, before Stefano Domenicali took over the role in 2008.

In addition to his time as team chief, he was appointed the general manager of Ferrari S.p.A in 2004 and became CEO two years later. He resigned as CEO in March 2008 but remained on the board of Ferrari until March 2009.

Following his stint at the Scuderia, Todt was approached by Red Bull GmbH founder Dietrich Mateschitz. 

"I decided in 2008 that it was time to give something back," Todt explained during an appearance on the High Performance podcast. "My interest is to give something back.

"Incidentally, 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."

He added: "To run the team and to run the motorsport activities of Red Bull. And I said no because for me, this chapter was over.

Jean Todt, Prince Bernhard of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven

Photo by: Jeff Spicer / LAT Images via Getty Images

"I was running an iconic brand with success. So in a way, I could not do better, and I wanted to do other things. And it was time for me to give something back. It was a part of my life, and it's still the part of my life where I want to give something back.

"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.

"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."

Todt went on to become FIA president in 2009. He remained in the role until 2021.