London (PA Media/dpa) – Aston Martin have announced the departure of long-standing chief executive and team principal Otmar Szafnauer.
A statement from the Formula One team Wednesday did not give a reason for the 57-year-old’s exit, but it comes only a day after the publication of an an interview in which he spoke enthusiastically about the team’s prospects for 2022.
Last season, Szafnauer had dismissed speculation linking him with a move to rivals Alpine.
The Aston Martin statement said: “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.
“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.”
Szafnauer joined the team in 2009 when it was still known as Force India. The Romanian-American had come into Formula One 10 years previously, joining the then new BAR team as operations director.
He had previously worked for Ford in motor racing in the United States.