Otmar Szafnauer blasts Alpine as 'they don't understand' how to succeed in F1

31 January 2024 , 20:29

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Otmar Szafnauer has spoken out six months on from his Alpine axing (Image: Getty Images)

Otmar Szafnauer has lashed out at Renault chiefs as he spilled the beans on the conversations that led to his Alpine exit.

Szafnauer joined the Enstone-based team in early 2022 but was in charge for just 18 months before he was relieved of his duties last July. Alan Permane, who had served the team for more than three decades, was also axed.

It quickly became clear that their surprise departures had come amid a disagreement with the Renault board. Szafnauer and Permane had apparently told them that the the timeframe given for the success they wanted to see was unreasonable.

Six months on from his departure, the 59-year-old has revealed what exactly was said in those conversations he had with his bosses prior to his departure. Speaking to Motor Sport Magazine, he also said he was given just 10 days' notice of his dismissal.

"This may sound egotistical but I believe I was doing a good job at Alpine and that I was making the right changes," he said. "I have seen new team leaders make changes for the sake of change, they want to show the owners that they are doing something, making changes for the better.

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"The problem is they often don’t understand the changes they're making. When you walk into a situation like Alpine you first have to get a deep understanding of what you have, what's good, and what needs changing - but you cannot do that overnight.

"Alpine's senior bosses wanted success faster than was possible. I told them what was possible, and they said they didn't have time for that. It seems they don't understand that it takes time to change a culture, to get new skill sets where we didn't have them. They simply don't have the technical ability they need.

"When I got there I told them they needed this stuff and some new people. When you start recruiting you are lucky to get anyone within a year because of their multi-year contracts. And, of course, you need to offer them something they don't have, like more responsibility.

"I told Alpine I was making progress but their response was always, 'We don't have time for this'. That was the cause of our disagreement and I was given less than 10 days warning of their decision that led to my departure at the Belgian GP."

Szafnauer also said he had held talks with Michael Andretti about leading his F1 project. However, the chances of that happening look to be a lot more slim now that the sport's bosses have rejected the American's bid to form the 11th team.

Daniel Moxon