Gilles Simon will help Jean Todt make F1 greener

Gilles Simon, who held the position of chief engine engineer at Ferrari, will join the FIA – Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile – starting in 2010. The Frenchman will aim to assist his compatriot and FIA President, Jean Todt, in the development of more environmentally-friendly technologies in Formula 1 and other championships.

Gilles Simon resigned last October from Scuderia Ferrari. At the time, he did not specify his future but commented that his choice was entirely mature and well-thought-out and that he wasn’t leaving Ferrari without securing a role elsewhere.

Jean Todt today unveiled his plans to make Formula 1 greener. He will develop, among other things, a task force exclusively dedicated to making F1 more environmentally friendly. Gilles Simon will head this task force, according to the newspaper Le Figaro.

« I am convinced that Formula 1 must adapt to its time and respect the environment, particularly with new technologies. Changes must be made in depth. »

Jean Todt succeeded Max Mosley at the end of October. The Frenchman made ecology his spearhead during his term and regretted the disappearance of KERS – Kinetic Energy Recovery System – launched in 2009 with difficulties: « With the abandonment of KERS, the year 2010 will see no innovation in the ecological field in F1 and I am truly sorry about that. I have therefore decided to create a working group to develop green energies. »