Ex-Alpine boss Szafnauer eyeing Andretti F1 role

Ex-Alpine Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer has admitted that he is keen to play a role in Michael Andretti's proposed Formula 1 squad.

Andretti is currently in discussions with Formula One Management over forming an 11th team after its bid was approved by the sport's governing body, the FIA.

Despite not yet having final approval to join the grid, Andretti is pushing ahead with its F1 operation as it waits to hear if its bid is successful.

Szafnauer has now emerged as a candidate for a senior position within the team after revealing he has had contact with Andretti.

The 59-year-old was most recently the Team Principal of Alpine before his departure was announced during last year's Belgian Grand Prix.

Should Andretti's F1 proposal be accepted, Szafnauer has declared that he would be keen to be part of the outfit.

“I have had some discussions with Michael Andretti, he’d called me even before I went to Alpine, and I told him I’d love to help him,” Szafnauer told MotorSport Magazine.

“They have to get the F1 entry first, because without an entry how can I help him?

“If they are accepted then I will be able to discuss getting involved, getting them started, getting them moving.”

'I have five to seven years in me'

Prior to his role at Alpine, Szafnauer was at the forefront of the Force India squad which was notorious for strong performances on a limited budget.

Szafnauer asserted that he still has a lot to offer an F1 team and is hopeful of returning to the sport in the near future.

“I’d like to continue but it’s got to be in a position where my experience, my skill sets, can be put to good use,” he said. “I reckon I have another five to seven years in me.

“Maybe I have too high an opinion of myself… but I believe I still hold the skill sets to enable me to put a good team together to be competitive in F1. So that’s what I want to do.

“Right now, I have the desire, but I am biding my time while I cannot compete due to the provisions of my gardening leave.

“Pretty soon, [2024] hopefully, I can get back into the sport. Problem is, I am a little bit impatient.”