Ferrari Todt return would be "an honour"

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has claimed it would be "an honour" to welcome Jean Todt back into the Ferrari fold after his 12-year term as FIA president comes to an end next week.

Todt is among the most decorated F1 team principals of all time, playing a role in six drivers' and eight constructors' championship-winning seasons with Ferrari which has since failied to reach such heights following his departure in 2009.

With the Frenchman's time as president of the FIA coming to an end, speculation has quickly grown as to Todt's next move, with links quickly drawn with regard to a return to Ferrari.

Reports in Italian publication Corriere Della Sera suggested Todt first spoke to Ferrari president John Elkann at this year's Le Mans 24 Hours over a potential consultancy role within the Maranello set up.

"I heard and I read about some speculation in that respect," said Binotto. "What I can say is that so far it is only speculation.

"Personally, I have worked with Jean Todt. He has been my boss and I think I learned a lot from him.

"It has been an honour to work with him and I would say that as well, whatever will be the case in the future, it will still be an honour for me to work together with him because I still believe that, as Mattia and as a team, there is still much to learn."

Pressed on his comments that the links were only speculation "so far" and that this was far from outright denial, Binotto was asked if there had been any communication between Todt and Ferrari.

In response, and refusing to add further fuel to the fire, Binotto answered simply, "No."

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