Key Takeaways (TL;DR):
- Open to a Formula 1 Return: Former Force India, Aston Martin, and Alpine Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer expressed interest in returning to Formula 1, provided the project allows him to add tangible value.
- Role Beyond Team Principal: Szafnauer noted he doesn’t necessarily need to serve as Team Principal again, stating that many modern team bosses come from race engineering backgrounds that don’t always align with broad executive management.
- Current Motorsport Endeavors: While missing F1’s competitive environment, Szafnauer currently co-hosts the High Performance Racing podcast alongside Jake Humphrey and Rob Smedley, serves as CEO/Managing Partner at Van Amersfoort Racing, and manages his travel optimization app, EventR.
Speaking on an episode of the High Performance Racing podcast—which he co-hosts alongside Jake Humphrey and former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley—Szafnauer admitted that while he does not miss the demanding travel schedule, he misses the paddock’s competitive drive.
“I miss the competitive nature of Formula 1, but I don’t miss the travel and some of the other stuff,” Szafnauer said. “If I can be useful to improve or build a team, I could return. It needs to be at the right level, and I need to add value—not necessarily as a team principal.”
Szafnauer emphasized that his decades of operational and commercial experience across F1 structure enable him to contribute in various executive or strategic capacities. He also questioned the recent paddock trend of appointing technical engineers directly into top team management roles.
“Some race engineers, though not all, possess skills different from what I consider necessary to be a successful team principal,” Szafnauer noted.
Since departing Alpine following the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix, Szafnauer has expanded his footprint across international motorsport. In early 2026, he was appointed CEO and Managing Partner of junior single-seater powerhouse Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR) to oversee its programs across Formula 2, Formula 3, FRECA, and Formula 4. Additionally, he continues to develop EventR, a travel and event logistics application designed for motorsport operations.
Formula 1 resumes August 21–23 with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, marking Round 12 of the 2026 season. Full coverage continues on GRANDE PRÊMIO.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What has Otmar Szafnauer been doing since leaving Alpine?
Szafnauer serves as CEO and Managing Partner at Van Amersfoort Racing, co-hosts the High Performance Racing podcast with Jake Humphrey and Rob Smedley, and leads the development of his travel management app, EventR.
Would Otmar Szafnauer return to Formula 1 as a Team Principal?
Szafnauer stated that while he would not rule it out, he does not necessarily need to return as a Team Principal and is open to broader executive or advisory roles where he can build or improve a team’s structure.
