Todt to remain team boss for a while more

Ferrari's board of directors last week handed di Montezemolo's role of CEO of the Maranello-based company to Todt, while the Frenchamn's role of general manager has been taken over by Amedeo Felisa.

But the board also left Todt in his current position as managing director of the Gestione Sportiva - Ferrari's motor racing division - saying he will hold this second role as an interim solution.

"It's clear that in any team, when a person takes a bigger responsibility as it's the case with Todt, somebody could have thought that he's not the racing boss anymore," di Montezemolo told a press conference in Monza.

"We've put him in an interim role because, as he has a wider responsibility, it will clearly be a position he will leave, but this doesn't mean it's my intention to ask Todt to leave this role within four, five, six or eight months.

"It will be something that will last through time and logically, sooner or later, there will be someone taking on at 360 degrees the responsibility Todt has had since 1993.

"This, however, is not a matter for the short term."

Di Montezemolo yesterday told Gazzetta dello Sport Todt will still go to all the races, while other sources suggested Todt may attend only some of next year's Grands Prix.

According to speculations, Todt will hold the interim role of managing director until sabbatical-bound Ross Brawn decides if he wants to return to Ferrari or not.

Brawn said today he will meet with Todt and di Montezemolo in the middle of next year to discuss his future with the team, not ruling out a return to the squad.

And, according to some, the Briton is currently favourite to take over Todt's role of managing director in 2008.

After a recap of the various new roles announced during the past week, Todt said there will be more changes in store.

"All the other roles in the management will be announced further on in the coming weeks or months," said the Frenchman.