After fifty

This documentary looks back on the incredible journey made by Jean Todt during 56 years dedicated to the development of motorsport. Canal +

REVIEW – For Canal +, director Amandine Morhaïm retraces the exceptional career of the French manager in motorsport, with the aim of understanding his recipe for success. Jean Todt, the methoda new documentary not to be missed this Sunday, November 13 at 9:20 p.m. on Canal + and on MyCanal.

For more than fifty years, the name of Jean Todt has been synonymous with victories and exploits in motorsport. Son of a Polish doctor who emigrated to Pierrefort, in Cantal, the Frenchman (76 years old) wrote his huge prize list at the same time as his legend. A character as fascinating as he is secretive, this outstanding manager has won everything wherever he has gone. “Life is made up of chapters, he likes to recall today. And we gotta do better every time a page turns…” In the documentary Jean Todt, the method, broadcast after the Brazilian F1 Grand Prix on Canal+ this Sunday, November 13, director Amandine Morhaïm traces the exceptional career of this discreet man of 1.67 m with a strong character.

Alongside the Schumachers

His beginnings as a modest rally co-driver, his first victories as sporting director of the Peugeot Talbot Sport team (WRC, Paris-Dakar, 24 Hours of Le Mans), his sixteen fantastic years in Formula 1 at the head of Ferrari (8 constructors’ world titles) and in the company of the unforgettable Michael Schumacher (6 times world champion), his battles waged at the FIA ​​from the chair of President before the creation of the Brain and Spinal Cord Institute in the company of his friend Gérard Saillant…”It is difficult to tell fifty-six years of career in a film of 1:30, commented Jean Todt at the beginning of the week, after having viewed the documentary for the first time in its final version. I am very touched and grateful to Amandine for having made this magnificent memory in pictures.”

The story of a life of sacrifices told by Jean Reno, with a multitude of archive images, but also many prestigious witnesses: Nicolas Todt, the only son, Gérard Saillant, the forty-year-old friend, Jackie Stewart , Jacky Ickx and Ari Vatanen, the legendary drivers, or even Jean-Philippe Peugeot and Lucas di Montezemolo, the big bosses. “I will never forget the emotion of our first victory together“, notes the latter, stars in his eyes. Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the UN, with whom Jean Todt works today as world ambassador for road safety, also underlines the “extraordinary character” of the Frenchman. “What Jean does bestnotes Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, his wife, is to bring all the pieces of a project together so that they work perfectly together.”

spiritual father

One of the highlights of the film is undoubtedly Jean Todt’s visit to the Schumacher residence in Switzerland. The images of the meeting with Corinna show how much the Ferrari adventure has forged ties for eternity between the boss, his pilot, victim of a serious skiing accident in 2013, and the family of the latter. “It’s when things aren’t going so well that you recognize friendspoints out facing the camera the wife of the now diminished champion. And Jean is one of the few to have always been there, by our side.” The hug given by Mick Schumacher (23) also testifies to an almost filial relationship between the heir who in turn became an F1 pilot, and this spiritual father. “It is a privilege to accompany them“, concluded Jean Todt, Monday. After specifying:My greatest wealth is integrity.”

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After fifty-six years of exploits, the discourse of the method according to Jean Todt, on Canal +