via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Portuguese Grand Prix – Algarve International Circuit, Portimao, Portugal – October 23, 2020 Racing Point Team Principal and Chief Executive Officer Otmar Szafnauer wearing face masks during a press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Portuguese Grand Prix – Algarve International Circuit, Portimao, Portugal – October 23, 2020 Racing Point Team Principal and Chief Executive Officer Otmar Szafnauer wearing face masks during a press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Otmar Szafnauer has admitted that it was the right decision to leave Aston Martin after becoming Alpine’s Team Principal this season. Szafnauer will now start his debut campaign with the French team after a long stint with his predecessors.
Otmar Szafnauer opens up how he's found life at Alpine on the lead up to the 2022 season! 👇 pic.twitter.com/4GJDfhe3lQ
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 11, 2022
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After suggesting that he had ‘no intention of leaving’, he resigned after the 2021 season as CEO of the team. Talking to Motorsport, he said, “At that point, there was no intention of leaving,”
“But as time moved on and things changed [at Aston Martin], I thought it was better for all parties that I looked elsewhere,” Szafnauer added.
Meanwhile, he also spoke about adjusting to life at Alpine this season. The 57-year old said, “I was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of faces that I knew there from my past. Be it from Honda or British American Racing, even Force India. I know how the people are.”
“[There’s] great potential, like-minded people, pulling in the same direction and wanting to do well. They’ve got a great history there. They’ve won before, good infrastructure, so I really look forward to working with them all.”
Drivers Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso will begin the 2022 F1 season in Bahrain on March 18-20. The teams are currently undergoing a three-day testing in Bahrain ahead of the new season.
Will Otmar Szafnauer Lead Alpine To a Top 4 Berth?
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Alpine were comfortably behind 4th placed McLaren at the end of the 2021 season. However, the team will look to improve with new regulations coming into play. The new A522 has been quick in pre-season testing as they look to fight the big teams.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary – August 1, 2021 Alpine’s Esteban Ocon celebrates with teammate Fernando Alonso after winning the race Pool via REUTERS/Florion Goga
However, with the new partnership with BWT, the team will also use the financial backing to their advantage. In addition, the teams will sport an all-pink livery for the first two races of the season. Szafnauer will look to use his experience to propel Alpine into the Top 4 of the Constructors’ standings.
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With teams like Ferrari and McLaren showing impressive pace in the pre-season, Alpine will have their work cut out. With a new start and a unique driver pairing, Alpine will look to set a mark in Formula 1 this year.
