Team principal and CEO Szafnauer leaves Aston Martin

Aston Martin team principal and CEO Otmar Szafnauer has left the visitor without increasingly than a decade with the team.

Szafnauer joined Aston Martin when it was known as Force India when in 2009, and helped the team to numerous impressive results despite financial uncertainty. He was instrumental in the team surviving without it went into wardship in 2018, rhadamanthine team principal without Lawrence Stroll’s takeover and subsequent rebranding as Aston Martin.

As Stroll invests in the team, Martin Whitmarsh joined as group CEO last year and a senior paddock source told RACER that Szafnauer was unhappy at the management structure stuff put in place virtually him that would limit his influence. It is understood Szafnauer had started exploring opportunities, leading to links with Alpine in November.

While Szafnauer attempted to stave questions well-nigh his future at the time, it has now been confirmed he is no longer part of Aston Martin and there will be no firsthand utterance regarding his successor.

“Otmar Szafnauer has left the Visitor and his role at Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team will be managed within the leadership team until a replacement is appointed,” an Aston Martin statement read.

“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 well-appointed to take a little time to explore options surpassing 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.”