Ex-team F1 boss in surprise switch to front junior squad
Ex-F1 team boss Otmar Szafnauer has taken on a new role with single-seater outfit Van Amersfoort Racing.
Ex-Aston Martin and Alpine Formula 1 team principal Otmar Szafnauer has joined Van Amersfoort Racing as its new CEO and managing partner.
Szafnauer, who was sacked as Alpine team boss mid-way through the 2023 F1 season, will be responsible for Van Amersfoort Racing’s performance across its various junior categories, most notably Formula 2 and Formula 3.
It is a surprise move for Szafnauer given his extensive experience in F1 and top-level motorsport, but one that effectively gives him control of the racing outfit that brought Max Verstappen to prominence.
“Van Amersfoort Racing has a strong reputation for developing talent and competing at a high level across multiple categories,” Szafnauer said.
“I look forward to working closely with the leadership team and the wider organisation to guide the next phase of the team’s development.”
Van Amersfoort Racing team principal Brad Joyce said: “Otmar’s experience and leadership add valuable perspective to the organisation. His appointment significantly strengthens VAR as we continue to evolve and pursue our long-term vision.”
The 61-year-old Romanian-American engineer had great success in charge of the underdog Force India and Racing Point operation, before he was ousted not long after the team rebranded to Aston Martin.
Szafnauer was then part of merry-go-round of management changes at Alpine in recent years amid disappointing performance by the Renault-owned team, where he was team boss for just over a year.
Szafnauer’s 12th F1 team plan
Last year, Szafnauer claimed to have a group of “serious people” ready to finance a 12th F1 team.
Szafnauer said a car manufacturer was “in place that wants to join” as he revealed he was working on proposals for a new F1 team.
It remains to be seen if Szafnauer’s move to Van Amersfoort Racing will impact those aspirations, or be part of them.
Szafnauer did not rule out potentially purchasing an existing team, but stressed that it wouldn’t be realistic for a new start-up to join the grid earlier than 2028 or 2029.
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