Tag: Otmar Szafnauer

I was going to turn Alpine into a top three team – Szafnauer

Otmar Szafnauer says he was going to turn Alpine into a top three team before his dismissal as team principal, and that the team’s current situation is a “disaster.” Alpine announced the departures of Szafnauer and long-time sporting director Alan …

Otmar Szafnauer says he was going to turn Alpine into a top three team before his dismissal as team principal, and that the team’s current situation is a “disaster.”

Alpine announced the departures of Szafnauer and long-time sporting director Alan Permane during the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix weekend, with Szafnauer leaving after just under 18 months at the team. Speaking to the High Performance podcast, he says he had been aware of the challenges he would face once he arrived and found the entire team didn’t report to him, but that he’d remained committed as he thought he could turn the situation around.

“I couldn’t have predicted the future,” Szafnauer said. “I had a contract, I wanted to do the best I can for my team, I’m still working hard, I’m still delivering relative to today. Yeah, we were sixth in that championship, but we had a couple of podiums, we were scoring points regularly, it wasn’t a disaster – we were in the midfield.

“It’s not like today. I don’t know where they are today, ninth or something in the championship? Today it’s a disaster. It’s a half step back, but sometimes you take a half step back to take two steps forward. The recruitment was happening, good people were coming, I was going to turn that team into a top-three team which is what we wanted to do.

“I was working with the FIA at the time to work with the power unit equalization. We were 25 horsepower down on power when the engine freeze happened, [and] there’s a gentleman’s agreement amongst the engine manufacturers that said if somebody is way down on power we’ll allow them to come back up.

“My last meeting, which was a Formula 1 Commission meeting in Belgium … I put a strong case forward for allowing Alpine powertrain to come back up to equal the others. The other three were within a kilowatt of each other. We’re 15 kilowatts down, 25 horsepower down, it’s hard to compete. So I was working on all those fronts to get Alpine better, and I did it to my last day.”

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Szafnauer – who claims he was also made a scapegoat in the Oscar Piastri contract saga for errors made before his arrival – says his exit coincided with that of a number of key Alpine personnel that has contributed to the decline in performance.

“[I had] Formula 1 Commission meeting in the morning, and I think the announcement happened at the lunchtime that weekend that both Alan Permane and I were leaving.

“I knew about a week before … just in a phone call from head of HR, a Zoom call. The head of Renault Group HR.

“I’ve never explored those reasons. There were suggestions that I needed to change the corporate culture in a way that I didn’t think was the right way to do it. I know how to change corporate culture into a culture that has a winning mentality, psychological safety, everything that I’ve talked about that I was on my way to doing.

“They wanted a corporate culture change in a different manner, to get rid of some people that were doing a good job that had been there for a long time, and my thought was if you get rid of people that do a good job then the message you send is, ‘Do a good job, get fired,’ and that’s not the culture that you really want.

“I was asked [to change], and I said no. It’s not who I am … That would have been short-term. Those people that have left actually did a good job. Most of them are at other teams now, and just look at the results — you can see the difference … It’s not because I left. There was a mass of people that left.”

Szafnauer ‘should not talk at all’ after Alpine’s results – Alonso

Fernando Alonso criticized Otmar Szafnauer’s approach and record at Alpine before the team principal left his role, stating recent results mean his former boss “should be quiet”. Szafnauer was team principal when Alonso’s contract situation played …

Fernando Alonso criticized Otmar Szafnauer’s approach and record at Alpine before the team principal left his role, stating recent results mean his former boss “should be quiet”.

Szafnauer was team principal when Alonso’s contract situation played out a year ago, with the Spaniard keen to remain with Alpine but unhappy at the length of the deal he was being offered and eventually switching to Aston Martin.

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It’s a move that has paid off given Aston’s step forward since last season, but Alonso says he wanted to stay but told the BBC – before Szafnauer’s departure was announced – that he found the approach of both the former team principal and former CEO Laurent Rossi too slow.

“I don’t think I felt disrespected,” Alonso said. “But it is true it took longer than I thought when we started conversations – I think it was in Australia back in (April) 2022 – about renewing the contract.

“It was just on a very slow pace, and it was not from my side. I was just ready and happy. The 2022 car was a fast car so I was also happy with the performance and the possibilities into the future. So that slow pace of conversations and eventually not even putting on paper what we were writing and all these comments about the age and whatever, which they are still doing.

“It is the way they do things. Or the way Otmar does things. Because after this year, he should be quiet. He should not talk at all. After the results of Aston Martin and the results he’s achieving, he’s still talking and still proud of the decision, which is incredible, amazing.”

Alonso says he felt Alpine did not appreciate what he brought to the team, adding he “100%” felt underestimated: “And still do.

“When you are doing the best you can every weekend, when I did so many things for Renault as well, you take a little bit personal when someone is doubting your performance or your age or these kinds of things.

“And you just want to prove even extra hard that you are in the best moment of your career. The results, they speak for themselves, and that’s the best way.”

Szafnauer hints he could take on a new F1 role

Former Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer says he can’t work for another Formula 1 team for a year but suggests he could take on another role within the sport. Szafnauer’s departure from Alpine was confirmed ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix and he …

Former Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer says he can’t work for another Formula 1 team for a year but suggests he could take on another role within the sport.

Szafnauer’s departure from Alpine was confirmed ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix and he has now left his role, alongside long-time sporting director Alan Permane. Part of the mutual agreement reached with Alpine means he is not allowed to work for a rival team over the next 12 months but says that doesn’t mean he can’t take up a different position with another entity in F1.

“Not to go into the contractual stuff but I’ve got to stay away from other teams for a year, but not Formula 1 in general,” Szafnauer told SpeedCity Broadcasting.

“I haven’t achieved everything I want to achieve. I was hoping to build a really high-performing team here — I was well on my way to doing it, it’s just unfortunate that all the good people are locked into long-term contracts and they’re all coming in ’24 and ’25. Hopefully they’ll still come [to Alpine] but that’s for them to decide now.”

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Szafnauer reiterated his stance that the split was a mutual one between himself and Renault’s hierarchy, having been unable to agree on a realistic timeframe for success.

“Yeah, it was definitely mutual. I laid out the timelines as to how long it takes in F1 to effect change. You know, it’s not a football team — it’s only two [drivers] and 998 technicians, engineers and aerodynamicists, and to change a culture takes time. The timeline wasn’t accepted by the bosses of Renault — they wanted it quicker and that’s what we disagreed upon. So, yeah, mutual.”

Alpine performed well despite the turmoil in Spa-Francorchamps, with Pierre Gasly third in the sprint and Esteban Ocon climbing to eighth in the Belgian GP, something the latter believes shows the potential within the team.

“I think there’s no better way to go on holidays,” Ocon said. “It was a very strong (sprint) for Pierre and for the team. I’m glad that we secured such a result and then (on Sunday) the fighting spirit we showed is not a coincidence. We are bringing some updates to the car and it’s paying off. That’s what we need to keep on doing — it’s super-encouraging and I hope everyone at Viry and Enstone sees that.”

Renault bosses wanted success sooner – Szafnauer

Outgoing Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer says the team’s owners “had a shorter timeframe in mind” for success that led to his departure. Szafnauer will leave Alpine after this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, with both he and sporting director …

Outgoing Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer says the team’s owners “had a shorter timeframe in mind” for success that led to his departure.

Szafnauer will leave Alpine after this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, with both he and sporting director Alan Permane departing “by mutual agreement.” As recently as in Budapest last weekend, Szafnauer was clear that he felt he would continue in his role despite Bruno Famin’s appointment as VP of Alpine Motorsports above him but says the situation changed “not long ago” that has resulted him in leaving.

“Well, we had a double DNF in Hungary,” Szafnauer said about what had changed. “Not great, but. Anyway… the thing that really changed is I had a timeline in mind for changing the team, making it better. That timeline, I thought it was realistic, because I know what it takes. I’ve done it before. I think some of the senior management at Renault had a shorter timeline in mind.”

Confirming it was more aggressive than he wanted, Szafnauer added: “If you can’t reconcile that — I think one thing, they think another — it’s best to part ways.

“I’ve always said Mercedes took five years from buying a winning team. Red Bull took five years from buying Jaguar, which was a pretty solid mid-grid team. It takes time. That’s what it takes.”

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Szafnauer confirmed he will have a year-long period of “gardening leave” after seeing out his duties at Spa-Francorchamps but still want to return to F1.

“As far as Formula 1 teams I’ll be a free agent from end of July ’24. But rest of the world I’m OK.

“This is what I know. I still think I have good skills in building a team that can perform. I know how to do it, I just need to be given the latitude and the time to do it. If somebody needs those skills then I’ll stay around.”

Szafnauer and Permane to leave Alpine amid shake-up

Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane will leave Alpine by mutual agreement after the Belgian Grand Prix. Szafnauer (pictured above) had come under increasing pressure following former Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi’s …

Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane will leave Alpine by mutual agreement after the Belgian Grand Prix.

Szafnauer (pictured above) had come under increasing pressure following former Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi’s outburst at the Miami Grand Prix, saying the buck stopped with the team principal after a number of operational errors. At the time, it’s understood Rossi wanted to put Bruno Famin in place as team principal, and while Rossi has since been replaced by Philippe Krief, it has now been announced that Szafnauer is to depart following this weekend’s race and recently announced VP of Alpine motorsports Famin will take over the role on an interim basis.

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Alan Permane had spent 34 years at the team now known as Alpine. Sam Bloxham/Motorsport Alpine, szafImages

Although Szafnauer was team principal and only joined Alpine at the start of 2022, perhaps more notable is the departure of Permane after 34 years at the Enstone, UK-based team. Famin explained the decision to part ways with both was due to a disagreement over the future direction of the team and the timeline in which to try and fight for victories and championships.

“I think with Otmar and with Alan it’s the same — they’re great people, and we thank them for all we brought to the team,” Famin said. “For a very long time for Alan, 34 years in Enstone, and more recently with Otmar he achieved the fourth place in the championship last year which is a good achievement, but we were not on the same timeline… to reach the level of performance we are aiming for. Mutually we agreed to split our ways, and that’s it.”

Chief technical officer Pat Fry is also leaving Alpine to take up the same position at Williams, as the first major technical hire announced under James Vowles.

Alpine says current Alpine Academy director Julian Rouse has been named interim sporting director, with Matt Harman tasked with leading the technical team at Enstone.

Szafnauer’s future under threat amid Alpine struggles

Otmar Szafnauer’s future as Alpine team principal appears to be in jeopardy after CEO Laurent Rossi warned “there’s going to be consequences” for the team missing targets this season. Alpine finished fourth in the constructors’ championship last …

Otmar Szafnauer’s future as Alpine team principal appears to be in jeopardy after CEO Laurent Rossi warned “there’s going to be consequences” for the team missing targets this season.

Alpine finished fourth in the constructors’ championship last year but is currently sixth – level on points with McLaren in fifth – this year, after a number of missed opportunities and operational errors. Concerned by the gap to the top four teams after seeing Aston Martin make a major step forward, Rossi says “there is a lot of excuses” within the team and that he wants to see changes quickly as he won’t revise his target of finishing fourth this year.

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“It’s too early to do that – and I don’t want to give people the comfort,” Rossi told the official Formula 1 website. “I don’t enter a competition and reset my objective because it’s easier. The team managed to get fourth. They have the means to get fourth, more so than others. I want them to be fourth. If they don’t, it’s going to be a failure.

“If they fail by giving 500% best and turning this ship around, there will be extenuating circumstances and it bodes well for the future. If not, it’s the rule of business, there’s going to be consequences. And I won’t wait until the end of the year. The trajectory is not good. We need to fix the mindset of the team ASAP.”

Rossi says Alpine’s standards have slipped that lead to a lack of operational excellence, and that the final responsibility rests with current team principal Szafnauer.

“He is responsible for the performance of the team – that’s his job. There is no hiding here. Otmar was brought in to steer the team, through the season and the next seasons towards the objectives that we have, which is to constantly make progress, as we did in the first two years – fifth and fourth – and to get to the podiums and therefore, this is his mission to turn this team around and bring it to the performance that we want.

“We had a team that performed reasonably well last year, got the fourth position which is the best improvement we had in a long time. It showed a lot of promise. It’s more of less the same people so I don’t accept that we are not capable of maintaining that.

“Yes, it is Otmar and the rest of his team as Otmar alone doesn’t do everything, but the buck stops with Otmar. It’s Otmar’s responsibility, yes.”

And while Aston Martin’s step forward was a surprise this season it came amid a backdrop of significant investment from Lawrence Stroll, but Rossi says Alpine has the resources available to do similar.

“Enstone has never had as much resources at their disposal for a continuous number of years. The runway here is 10 years. There will never be a time where the team will be short.

“Aston have less engineers than us, as far as I know. They don’t have their own wind tunnel yet, they don’t have their plant running at the moment. They hyper-charged development by having the right people joining them. It shows that it’s down to creativity and efficiency. It’s the rule of the game, we know that. So no, I’m sorry, I don’t buy the resource excuse.”