f2: Otmar Szafnauer has joined Van Amersfoort Racing as CEO and managing partner, assuming responsibility for the single-seater outfit’s performance across its junior categories. The appointment is a surprise given Szafnauer’s long tenure in Formula 1, where he served as team principal at Aston Martin and Alpine and previously led Force India and Racing Point. Szafnauer was sacked mid-way through the 2023 F1 season and now arrives charged with guiding talent in Formula 2 and Formula 3 at the team that helped bring Max Verstappen to prominence.
F2 focus and immediate remit
Szafnauer will oversee Van Amersfoort Racing’s performance across its junior single-seater categories, with a clear emphasis on Formula 2 and Formula 3. “Van Amersfoort Racing has a strong reputation for developing talent and competing at a high level across multiple categories, ” Szafnauer said, signalling a priority on nurturing drivers and strengthening on-track results. Brad Joyce, team principal, described the appointment as one that “significantly strengthens” the organisation and said Szafnauer’s experience and leadership bring valuable perspective as the team pursues its long-term vision.
A veteran leader with F1 pedigree
Szafnauer’s resume in the context provided shows success leading underdog operations and navigating top-level motorsport. He achieved notable runs with Force India and Racing Point before later taking senior roles at Aston Martin and Alpine; his departure from Alpine followed a period of management changes and underperformance. The move to a front-line junior squad marks a departure from his previous F1 team principal roles and places him directly in charge of the development pipeline feeding categories such as f2.
What’s next: 12th F1 team ambitions and timeline
Szafnauer has previously said he had a group of “serious people” ready to finance a 12th F1 team and indicated a car manufacturer was interested in joining, while also stressing that a new start-up would not realistically join the grid earlier than 2028 or 2029. It remains to be seen whether his move to Van Amersfoort Racing will alter or form part of those ambitions; he did not rule out purchasing an existing team but framed any new entry as a multi-year project. For now, the immediate task is clear: lift results across VAR’s junior categories and translate his F1 experience into measurable progress in f2 and F3.
Observers should expect Van Amersfoort Racing to outline concrete performance targets and organizational changes in the coming weeks as Szafnauer settles into his role. The broader motorsport calendar and any statements from Szafnauer or Van Amersfoort Racing leadership will indicate whether this appointment is a stepping stone to renewed F1 ambitions or a focused effort to dominate junior single-seater ranks.
