The Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team has confirmed that team principal Otmar Szafnauer has left the team ahead of 2022 with immediate effect.
Otmar Szafnauer has joined the team in 2009, when the team was still named as Force India. In 2018, he became the team boss of the team, after it was renamed to Racing Point due to Lawrence Stroll’s buy-in. He stayed team boss until the end of 2021, when the team renamed to Aston Martin.
“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,” a team statement reads. The team boss position “will be managed within the leadership team until a replacement is appointed.”
The statement continues: “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.”
In November 2021, Szafnauer has been linked with the Alpine F1 Team. However, the 57-year-old has denied the rumours and described them as “pure media speculation.”
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