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Jean Todt has shared how Ayrton Senna came close to signing for Ferrari in the early 1990s.
Former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt disclosed the obstacle that prevented Ayrton Senna from signing with Ferrari in the early 1990s. Lewis Hamilton’s signing with Ferrari before his switch from Mercedes in 2024 was a major global sports story extending beyond motorsport. Todt revealed that if he had been open to removing the contracts of Gerhard Berger or Jean Alesi in 1994, Senna joining Ferrari could have generated similar hype. Despite Senna’s interest, Todt explained that the timing clashed with existing contractual commitments at Ferrari, emphasizing the importance of contracts to him.
In Formula 1, where contracts are usually significant, this stance was unusual, showcasing the evolving dynamics in driver-team relationships. Senna’s eventual move to Williams for the 1994 season was affected by various factors, such as contractual clauses and team dynamics influenced by key figures like Alain Prost and Todt. Although talks with Todt in 1993 hinted at a possible arrival in 1995, Senna’s eagerness led him to join Williams a year earlier.
