Otmar Szafnauer on the reasons for the transition from Aston Martin to Alpin: “It’s not about Lawrence Stroll”

Szafnauer denied suggestions that the reason for the decision to leave the team was a disagreement with Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll.

“Serious negotiations with Alpin started only this year. That is, already in the new year – and only after I realised that leaving Aston Martin would be the best decision for everyone. Then I started looking for alternatives and we reached an agreement with Alpin.

If we talk about the reasons – let’s just say that there can be only one Pope. If there are two of them, it’s wrong. So yes, that’s why I thought it was time for me to leave Aston Martin and that it would be better for everyone.

People asked me what kind of person I was. Well, it’s definitely not about Lawrence Stroll. After all, everyone has a boss. Here at Alpin, I also have a boss. Just like every other team.

But the problem that we talked about appeared at the moment when the Aston Martin bosses decided to invite Martin Whitmarsh to the team. And it turned out that he and I ended up in the same positions and had to do the same things. But it doesn’t work that way. But no, it wasn’t about Lawrence. After all, he is still the owner and the main boss. At Alpin, I also have a boss – Laurent Rossi. Everything is spotless and clear, as it should be,” said Szafnauer.

#OtmarSzafnauer was announced as Team Principal of #Alpine in February. He left his role as Director of @AstonMartin earlier this year. His job is to execute Alpine’s 100-race success plan. https://t.co/khOA0nMr45

— Thrill the grid F1 (@thrillthegridf1) May 17, 2022