Despite having been involved in Formula 1 for over 25 years, Otmar Szafnauer’s ambitions have not cooled. The former team boss has not yet signaled his retirement and is looking forward to a new challenge in the premier class of motorsport. “F1 is not behind me. 60 is too young to stop,” he asserts.
Ready for a New Adventure
Szafnauer had to leave Alpine in 2023 due to internal disputes, but has since been regularly spotted in the paddock. Now that his mandatory leave of absence (gardening leave) has passed, the experienced team boss is open to a new adventure. “I don’t want to work just for the sake of working. I want to make an impact and help a team move forward.”
No Interest in Political Games
With a past at BAR, Honda, Force India, and Aston Martin, Szafnauer has built an impressive resume. His most successful period was at Force India, where as Chief Operating Officer, he led the team to become a consistent force in the sub-top despite financial constraints. This contrasted greatly with his later experiences at Alpine and Aston Martin. “At Force India, I had the freedom to make strategic decisions. I missed that autonomy at my last employers. In a Formula 1 team, you need to be able to switch quickly, not be stuck in slow decision-making.”
According to Szafnauer, this is where the great danger lies for some teams. “Large companies operate like navy ships: slow and with many processes. But a Formula 1 team must operate like pirates: act quickly and efficiently to stay ahead of the competition. Teams that remain stuck in bureaucracy get overtaken.”
Plans for a New Team
In addition to his interest in returning to an existing team, Szafnauer also has plans for a completely new Formula 1 team. He previously revealed that he is exploring the possibility of a twelfth team on the grid with American investors and a car manufacturer. “Initially, we focused on the eleventh spot, but now that Lando Norris‘s team Cadillac is making its entry, we are focusing on a possible twelfth entry. When the FIA opens that process, I want to submit a strong proposal.”
Szafnauer is clear: Formula 1 has not seen the last of him. “I don’t want to work until I’m 82, but 60 is really too young to stop. I still have at least five to seven years in this sport. My next step? It will be something where I can really make an impact.”
