Former Aston Martin and Alpine Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer has revealed that he is open to returning to Formula 1 again should an ideal role become available.
The Romanian-American spent over 25 years in the sport prior to leaving the Renault-owned Alpine team in mid-2023 amid a disappointing beginning to the season.
Szafnauer had guided Alpine to fourth in his debut season at the helm, but the Enstone-based squad was unable to build upon that momentum in the next campaign.
His shortlived stint with Alpine succeeded a more extensive spell involved with the Silverstone-based squad, run under the guise of Aston Martin since the 2021 season.
Szafnauer was present throughout the team’s phases as both Force India and then Racing Point, helping it to overcome more established rivals using a modest budget.
But having now turned 60, Szafnauer has set his sights on reviving his involvement in the paddock, stating he doesn’t want to miss out on the “good years of a hobby”.
“F1 is not behind me,” he told Planet F1.
“I turned 60 last year, I think I’ve got another five or six years left before I want to retire.
“I tell people that, when you go skiing at the age of 65 you ski differently than at the age of 75 or 85.
“If it’s not skiing that you like – if it’s mountain biking, for example, or whatever it is, you ski or bike differently at 65 than you do at 75… car racing or motorcycles or whatever hobby that you have.
“I don’t want to miss the seven or 10 good years of a hobby.
“I don’t want to work till I’m 82 but, 65 to 67, in that region, would be a good time to retire – I think 60 is a bit too young.”
Szafnauer would accept ‘right position’
Now 18 months on since his abrupt Alpine departure, Szafnauer is a free agent now that his gardening leave period from the Anglo-French marque has concluded.
Eager to get back to work in the racing world, Szafnauer is prepared for a new “challenge”, but only if can make a “difference” for whichever team it may be on the grid.
“If I can help a team with my knowledge and experience to do better than they currently are, to move them up the grid, I would like that as a challenge,” he said.
“But it’s got to be in the right position.
“The position has to have enough input into the entire organisation to make a difference.
“I don’t want to work for a team, just to work for a team.
“I want to have the latitude and authority to actually make a difference, and the decisions that I make or help with have an impact.”
In 2024, Szafnauer disclosed how he has been in discussions with some US investors to add another F1 team to the grid on the James Allen on F1 podcast.
Despite the likely entry of Cadillac as the 11th team in F1 for 2026, Szafnauer remains confident that he can be a part of a potential 12th team in the sport.
“I’ve been working with some American funders and some car manufacturers to look at a 12th team for the future.,” he added.
“At the time, when I started the project, it was going to be the 11th team, but now Cadillac is in, so they’ve got the 11th spot.
“So when they open up the process of adding the 12th team, I hope to be able to put in a robust case to allow the 12th team to go to the people that I have funding it, as well as the manufacturer that I’m working with.”
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