Aston Martin F1 Boss Otmar Szafnauer Leaves, Two Months After Denying Exit

• Aston Martin F1 team principal is no longer with the team, the team announced on Wednesday.

• Szafnauer said in November he had “no intention of leaving” and that “he could have left many times but I’m loyal to the employees.”

• Aston Martin had an underwhelming first year since its rebranding in 2021 from Force India as it slipped from fourth to seventh in the standings.

Aston Martin Formula 1 is without a Team Principal a few days into 2022 after confirming the departure of Otmar Szafnauer.

Szafnauer, an American of Romanian heritage, had been with the Silverstone-based team in its various guises since 2009, having previously worked for Ford and Honda. He was a key figure through the team’s Force India days, under the guidance of Vijay Mallya, as it regularly combatted financial concerns that limited its potential.

Szafnauer was influential in the team’s continued existence in mid-2018, when it was placed into administration, and was appointed as team principal of the renamed Racing Point squad following its takeover by Canadian businessman Lawrence Stroll.

Szafnauer remained with the team through its transition into Aston Martin but his position was put in the spotlight last September when it was announced that ex-McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh would join as group CEO.

That led to rumors that Szafnauer was seeking an exit, and he was linked with Alpine in November, prompting strenuous assertions that he would not be departing.

Szafnauer emphasized in November he had “no intention of leaving” and that “he could have left many times but I’m loyal to the employees,” adding he had a “long-term contract in place with Aston.”

On Wednesday, Aston Martin announced his immediate departure. It is unclear whether it was a firing or a resignation.

The team outlined that it is “comfortable to take a little time to explore options before announcing a new team structure” and that it is “led and managed by a strong group of individuals.”

Throughout Szafnauer’s time with the squad it gained a reputation as an underdog punching above its weight but its acquisition by Stroll, and rebranding as Aston Martin, brought raised long-term expectations.

Aston Martin has outlined its desire to compete for the World Championship within the next three to four years, facilitated by the budget cap, overhauled technical regulations, and a recruitment drive on its growing campus.

A new factory, featuring state-of-the-art facilities, a simulator and wind tunnel, is under construction on land at Silverstone acquired by Stroll that surrounds its existing premises, which dates back to the early 1990s. It is expected to be finished in late 2022 or early 2023, and be fully operational by the middle of next year.

Aston Martin last year announced the recruitment of several key figures, most prominently Alfa Romeo’s Chief Designer Luca Furbatto and Red Bull Racing’s Head of Aerodynamics Dan Fallows. Aston Martin had expected Fallows to join in early 2022 but Red Bull Racing and Fallows have gone to court over his contract, amid Red Bull Racing’s claim that he cannot join a rival team until July 2023.

Aston Martin had an underwhelming first year since its rebranding in 2021 as it slipped from fourth to seventh in the standings. It pointed to tweaked technical regulations that it reckoned hampered its low-rake design philosophy compared to the high-rake design employed by most rivals.

It will continue to field four-time champion Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll, son of Lawrence, as its 2022 driver lineup.