Jean Todt and Schumacher’s mistakes In the long interview given to the High Performance podcast, former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt clearly spoke about his period in Maranello and Michael Schumacher. Of the German champion, in addition to his successes, he also underlined what – in his opinion – were mistakes that later cost him other world championships: “In 1997 Michael rammed Villeneuve on purpose, but he did it badly. It cost him the championship, like in qualifying in Monaco 2006 when he spun on purpose.” Willi Weber doesn’t agree and accuses Todt. Jean Todt’s words reached Willi Weber, Schumacher’s historic first F1 manager, who defended his former client at the German Express: “I’m speechless. Why would he say something like that? And what’s more, considering Michael’s difficult situation. Anyone who knows him knows that there was no intention behind it. They were harsh maneuvers, but necessary to defend his position and therefore also the possible title.” Weber explained that he did not understand Todt’s motivations: “We have seen much more violent maneuvers in the world championship fight, just think of Senna and Prost. Where would we end up if a seven-time world champion could no longer make mistakes? Then a lot of time has passed and these things have been analyzed in depth. Maybe Todt wants to exonerate himself after the fact?”
Willi Weber then revealed that he had no longer had contact with Jean Todt after Schumacher’s skiing accident.





















