Otmar Szafnauer

Speaker, Former F1 Team Principal, Leadership And Strategy Expert
Oxford
Explore the art of high-performance leadership and learn strategies for overcoming challenges with Otmar Szafnauer, speaker and motor racing executive.
Send us a Request
Exit
Otmar Szafnauer | PepTalk Expert Speaker
Otmar Szafnauer | PepTalk Expert Speaker
Contact PepTalk To Book Otmar Szafnauer
Email Icon
Email hello@getapeptalk.com
Message Icon
Send a chat message

Otmar Szafnauer | Speaker Biography

Former Team Principal at Alpine F1 Team
Former CEO and Team Principal of Aston Martin Racing
Leadership and strategy expert

Otmar Szafnauer is a highly accomplished motor racing executive with over 30 years of experience in Formula 1. He gained recognition as Vice President of Honda Racing and later served as CEO and Team Principal of Racing Point (now Aston Martin Racing). His most recent position was Team Principal of the Alpine F1 Team until mid-2023.

Otmar began his career in North America, where he founded and drove for his racing team before taking a managerial role at Ford, overseeing junior racing programmes. In 1998, he moved to Europe to join the British American Racing team as Operations Director, playing a pivotal role in establishing its operations. His leadership in planning, purchasing, and quality control laid the groundwork for future successes.

The team became the Honda Racing F1 Team, and Otmar became VP of Honda Racing Development. He advised on regulatory matters and negotiations with the FIA and Formula One. He also chaired the Engine Manufacturers Working Group, collaborating with manufacturers like Renault, BMW, Mercedes, Ferrari, Toyota, and Honda to define F1 engine regulations.

In 2009, Otmar became Chief Operating Officer at Force India, transforming the struggling team into a high-performing World Championship competitor. His empathetic leadership and strategic direction were crucial in creating the culture of high performance and psychological safety that fuelled the success, further demonstrated when he led the team through administration, ensuring that no employees got left behind in the bankruptcy process and subsequent sale.

Following the restructuring of Force India, Otmar became the Team Principal and CEO of the Racing Point team. The team won the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix and finished 4th in the World Championship for Constructors. He continued in his role when the team was subsequently sold to Aston Martin and continued to drive success, recruiting top talent, including four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel.

Most recently, he served as Team Principal of the Alpine F1 Team, where he initiated cultural changes and led the team to its highest-ever finishing position in the 2023 F1 Championship. Throughout his career, Otmar has demonstrated a unique ability to combine strategic vision, technical expertise and empathetic leadership to achieve success in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.

Why Should You Book Otmar Szafnauer?

Book Otmar Szafnauer to inspire your team with his unparalleled leadership insights from the high-stakes world of Formula 1. His experience in transforming struggling teams into champions, coupled with his focus on culture and performance, will motivate and equip your organisation for success. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Featured Videos

Get a

Quote

Discover Otmar Szafnauer's fees and availability. Share your details via the form and we’ll get back to you within an hour.

Alternatively you can email on hello@getapeptalk.com, call on +44 (0)203 835 2929 / +1 737 888 5112 (US) or chat live to our team.

Chat Now
Similar Experts
No items found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book a speaker for my event?
Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?
Can I request autographs, signed merchandise, or fan mail from the speakers?
How does PepTalk work? Is there a charge?
Why work with PepTalk?
What are PepTalk workshops?
Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event
How can I report an issue or make changes to an expert profile?

Trusted by companies you know

EY
Oracle
Capgemini
Astrazeneca
MoetHennessy
HSBC
BT
SocieteGenerale
Fujitsu
Estee Lauder
Qualtrics
Coca-Cola
Mercedes-Benz
Publicis Groupe
Santander
Kingfisher
Domestic & General
Mayer Brown
Launch Chat