Otmar Szafnauer parts ways with Aston Martin

Szafnauer leaves after 13 years with the team.

British Formula One team Aston Martin Cognizant have announced the departure of their CEO and Team Principal, Otmar Szafnauer.

It has been rumoured that Szafnauer could be moving to Aston Martin’s midfield rivals, Alpine.

The Silverstone based team released a statement which read:

“Otmar Szafnauer has left the Company and his role at Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team will be managed within the leadership team until a replacement is appointed.

“We would like to thank him for the service provided to the team over the past 12 years and wish him well for the future as he will undoubtedly take on new challenges.

“Fortunately, we are led and managed by a strong group of individuals, and we are comfortable to take a little time to explore options before announcing a new team structure.

“The focus of the team is currently on preparing the most competitive car possible for the start of the 2022 season.”

Szafnauer joined the team during their Force India days in October 2009 and was a key member in their development into one of the strongest midfield teams on the grid. He played a crucial role in the team’s partnership with Mercedes in 2014, which sees the team use the Mercedes power unit till date.

Szafnauer became Team Principal in 2018 when Lawrence Stroll took over the team with a consortium of investors, rebranding the outfit to Racing Point. Ahead of the 2021 season, the team switched to the Aston Martin name after Stroll bought a major stake in the British car manufacturer.

Although Aston Martin haven’t announced a new Team Principal, they did recruit former McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh in September 2021 as the Group CEO of their Performance Technologies; Whitmarsh is now a likely candidate to replace Szafnauer.

After enduring a tough 2021 season in which they finished seventh with only a single podium courtesy of Sebastian Vettel’s second-place finish in Baku, Aston Martin will look for a stronger season in 2022, hoping the new regulations help them fight at the front of the grid.