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INTERNATIONAL

manufacturers), won the Paris-Dakar Rally “So, I do quite a number of things, all
four times, and twice won the Le Mans 24
Hours. on a voluntary basis, which I feel can
However, it is not only in this field that Mr Todt be helpful for society.”
has excelled. In 2015, after his long and brilliant
career in these various positions, Mr Todt became
the first United Nations Secretary-General’s
Special Envoy for Road Safety, a responsibility I was also appointed the president of the
that he carries out in an exceptionally dedicated Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile
manner. Before our meeting with him, he was (FIA), which was for me an opportunity to
on missions to west and east Africa, and before return to the sport. And at that time, I was
that to southeast Asia. Needless to say, this man of course very concerned about safety in
is impressive, and we can only take off our hat a general way. That became a very specific
and say, “Well done!” concern in 2015, when I was appointed by
Ban Ki-moon the first Special Envoy for Road
Now, we’ll let this distinguished gentleman Safety. Since stepping down from the FIA at
tell us in his own words about all that he has the end of 2021, I’ve been focusing more than
managed to accomplish. ever on this position in the United Nations.

Mr. Todt, you have a long and outstanding career. I’m also the chairman of the International
You have been a Director of Peugeot, reshaping Peace Institute, which is based in New York,
Ferrari, and you have been the President of the and chairman of the Hansen Tushy Foundation
Federation de l ‘Automobile. What was the job in Myanmar. I’m also involved in advising
you enjoyed the most and why? the president of the Olympic Committee on
Life is a book made up of chapters. I think I’ve mobility topics. So, I do quite a number of
been blessed to enjoy every chapter of my life. things, all on a voluntary basis, which I feel can
In a way, each chapter has been an opportunity be helpful for society. So, you see, each chapter
to open a new phase of my life. I started my in its own way has been very challenging, very
first chapter as a rally co-driver after finishing interesting and very enjoyable.
university. After 15 years I knew that I wanted
to be a team director, so, I became the team If I have to choose one, it’s Ferrari, for it has
director of Peugeot and had quite a lot of a different dimension. Ferrari Formula 1 is
success. Then, I wanted to do something else probably what gave me the greatest visibility,
in my life, and I was hired at Ferrari, which, which is helping me now in my endeavors but
for somebody who likes cars, was the most I would like to stress that I liked them all.
iconic brand. I arrived at a company that was
struggling in Formula 1. Rebuilding the team Mr Todt, it is indeed very impressive, what
through a sustained effort, we ended up with you have accomplished and all the things you
the most successful Formula 1 team for the do. I just wonder where you get the energy to
Ferrari period. Then, I wanted to do something do all this?
for others, so, with a group of friends, in 2005, That’s a good question. I think that I’m blessed,
I founded a medical institute in Paris called for I’m in good health. I have a wife who is
the Institut du cerveau et de la moelle épinière successful. She sets an example for me. I also
(ICM), devoted to medical research for brain have a son who is successful. Both have a lot
and spinal cord disorders and attached to of energy, and I let myself be inspired by them,
the famous Hôpital universitaire de la Pitié- trying to have a lot of energy as well.
Salpêtrière with Professor Gérard Saillant
as the President of ICM. Now we have a As you mentioned, you are the first United
thousand researchers in the biggest hospital in Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for

France, with a 25,000-square-meter building Road Safety. Has the mandate evolved over
– an amazing challenge and success. the years, and what exactly is this job?

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