RN365 Podcast Red Bull face 'lose-lose situation' as Oscar Piastri activates 'intimidation' tactics
Login

Welcome at RacingNews365

Become part of the largest racing community in the United Kingdom. Create your free account now!

  • Share your thoughts and opinions about F1
  • Win fantastic prizes
  • Get access to our premium content
  • Take advantage of more exclusive benefits
Sign in

Otmar Szafnauer The latest F1 news on Otmar Szafnauer

Read all about Otmar Szafnauer, former team principal of Alpine's 2023 F1 team. After the Belgian Grand Prix, the partnership between Szafnauer and Alpine will not continue and he will no longer be team boss of the French F1 team.

F1 title-deciding factor pinpointed between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
Interview
F1 title-deciding factor pinpointed between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
0
'Max factor' saving Red Bull as sensational prediction made
'Max factor' saving Red Bull as sensational prediction made
0
'Max factor' saving Red Bull as sensational prediction made
F1 Podcast
'Max factor' saving Red Bull as sensational prediction made
1
Lewis Hamilton receives emphatic backing to snap Ferrari streak
Interview
Lewis Hamilton receives emphatic backing to snap Ferrari streak
0
Former F1 team principal offers McLaren crucial advice over Lando Norris concerns
Interview
Former F1 team principal offers McLaren crucial advice over Lando Norris concerns
0
Piastri reveals remarkable and 'unglamorous' McLaren signing location
Piastri reveals remarkable and 'unglamorous' McLaren signing location
0
Former F1 boss reveals he paid millions in team salaries - twice!
Former F1 boss reveals he paid millions in team salaries - twice!
0
Ex-F1 team boss delivers McLaren advice in Red Bull chase
Interview
Ex-F1 team boss delivers McLaren advice in Red Bull chase
0
Verstappen & Newey Part Of "The Silliest of Silly Seasons" - Szafnauer
F1 Podcast
Verstappen & Newey Part Of "The Silliest of Silly Seasons" - Szafnauer
0
Alpine delivered damning F1 assessment by ousted boss Szafnauer
Alpine delivered damning F1 assessment by ousted boss Szafnauer
0
Where it went wrong for Alpine in 2023 - and how they're on the mend
Analysis
Where it went wrong for Alpine in 2023 - and how they're on the mend
0
Szafnauer takes aim at Alpine, opens up F1 team exit
Szafnauer takes aim at Alpine, opens up F1 team exit
0
Ex-Alpine boss Szafnauer eyeing Andretti F1 role
Ex-Alpine boss Szafnauer eyeing Andretti F1 role
0

Biography of Otmar Szafnauer

Otmar Marin Szafnauer was born on August 13, 1964, in Semlac, a village in western Romania. Szafnauer's mother is from Romania; his father is an American with German roots. The Szafnauer family moved to Detroit, United States, when Otmar was only seven years old. In Detroit, Otmar Szafnauer earned his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Wayne State University. He later completed a master's degree in business & and finance at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Otmar Szafnauer at Ford

In 1986, Szafnauer joined the Ford Motor Company where he became Programmes Manager for Ford in the United States. While working for Ford, he attended the Jim Russell Racing Driver School after which he started racing in Formula Ford in 1991. He also raced in Formula 2000. Although Szafnauer's own racing career was not a huge success, it did not diminish his passion for racing. In 1998, he left Ford for a job in Formula 1.

Otmar Szafnauer in Formula 1

In the year Mika Hakkinen became world champion for the first time and George Russell was born, Otmar Szafnauer joined the British American Racing team. Here he stayed for several years and in 2001 he moved to the Honda F1 team, who were competing solely as an engine supplier at the time. With Honda gradually increasing their involvement in the sport, Szafnauer rose to the role of Vice President of Honda Racing Developments. When Honda left Formula One in 2008, Szafnauer focused on developing an Apple iPhone application. The app was named Soft Pauer and shared the official live timing of Formula One sessions and track positions. The app went live in 2009.

Otmar Szafnauer Force India F1

After his foray into the IT world, Szafnauer returned to the Formula One paddock. In October 2009, the Romanian American signed with the Force India Formula One team. He worked directly under Vijay Mallya, the notorious Indian businessman. During his time at Force India, Szafnauer was responsible for the team's growth. In 2010, Force India finished seventh among constructors; in 2011, 2013 and 2014, it finished sixth. In 2015, the Indian team finished fifth within the team championship, and in 2016 and 2017 Force India finished fourth among constructors. During his time at Force India, Szafnauer was closely involved in making a long-term deal with Mercedes regarding the use of Mercedes engines.

Otmar Szafnauer Aston Martin F1

In July 2018, the Force India team went into receivership. This after then driver Sergio Pérez filed a lawsuit. The purpose of the lawsuit was to work out a plan to remedy Force India's financial problems. In August 2018, several businessmen took over the team, after which it was renamed 'Racing Point UK Limited.' Lawrence Stroll took charge of the project; Otmar Szafnauer remained involved as team principal. In 2021, Racing Point was renamed Aston Martin F1.

Otmar Szafnauer Alpine F1

Szafnauer remained with the British racing stable in 2021, but decided to seek his fortune elsewhere from 2022. He signed a contract with the Alpine Formula One team where he replaced Marcin Budkowski as team principal. At Alpine, he got drivers Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso under his wing. Szafnauer got the team moving in the right direction: the French racing stable finished fourth among constructors, up one spot from a year earlier. Szafnauer will also be active as team principal of the Alpine F1 team in 2023. Esteban Ocon will once again race for the French. Pierre Gasly replaces Fernando Alonso, who left for Aston Martin.

Szafnauer leaves Alpine

Halfway through the season, after the Belgian Grand Prix on 30 July, Otmar Szafnauer will leave the Alpine team. This is due to the French racing stable's disappointing results. After the Belgian Grand Prix, Alpine is sixth in the constructors' standings. Bruno Famin replaces Szafnauer as temporary team principal at Alpine.

Latest news
Lewis Hamilton handed 'demolished' verdict as F1 team forced to change name – RacingNews365 Review
0
Liam Lawson's quiet redemption after brutal Red Bull axe
0
Interview
Major F1 factor causing Cadillac entry 'massive headache'
0
FIA clarify looming Valtteri Bottas grid penalty after signing with Cadillac
0
Red Bull decline clearly visible in painful F1 list
0
Who should Cadillac sign as team-mate to Valtteri Bottas for the 2026 F1 season?
0
F1 CEO opens door to iconic venue return but issues warning: 'Time is running out'
0
2025 F1 fastest pit stops of the season so far
0
Interview
Max Verstappen handed unusual compliment by F1 champion: 'He's alone right now'
1
Why Valtteri Bottas may not serve his existing grid penalty upon F1 return
0
 More news

F1 standings 2025

Full standings

F1 calendar 2025

Race Date
nld
Dutch Circuit Zandvoort
31 Aug
ita
Italian Autodromo Nazionale Monza
7 Sep
aze
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
21 Sep
sgp
Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
5 Oct
usa
United States Circuit of the Americas
19 Oct
Full calendar

Bezoek RacingNews365.nl

En lees het laatste F1 nieuws in het Nederlands!

Naar RacingNews365.nl Niet meer tonen
x
LATEST Cadillac sign first F1 driver for 2026 season