In the midst of the 2023 F1 season and during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Alpine made an abrupt announcement about the departure of Szafnauer, who was let go along with the team’s long-standing Sporting Director Alan Permane. Both individuals were made scapegoats amidst the struggles faced by the French team. Since then, Szafnauer has maintained a low profile, although he has made a few appearances in the F1 paddock at certain races. However, it turns out that he has been quite busy during this time.
In a conversation with James Allen from Motorsport.com, Szafnauer disclosed what he has been occupied with since parting ways with Alpine. The 59-year-old stated that he did not find any positions within the existing ten F1 teams that piqued his interest. He explained, “I am a competitor, and there is nothing I enjoy more than competition. Therefore, returning to a role where I cannot influence a team’s level of competitiveness does not appeal to me. However, if there was a role that allowed me to contribute towards the development, growth, and recruitment of the right individuals to enhance a team’s competitive edge, then I would be interested. Unfortunately, with only ten teams in the sport, many of these roles are already occupied. Thus, I am unsure of the number of opportunities available.”
Szafnauer’s sentiments are understandable, especially considering his experience with Alpine, where he clashed with Renault management regarding the necessary timelines for the team’s success. He was let go before having the chance to implement his plans. He continued, “However, there is also the possibility of an 11th and 12th team. This could be something that would pique my interest. I have been collaborating with certain organizations in North America that possess the financial backing required to establish an 11th team. It is important to note that this is not Andretti, referring to Michael Andretti’s bid to enter the sport, which is currently facing numerous obstacles and appears unlikely to succeed. At present, we are in the process of laying the foundations to ensure that we have everything necessary for both starting a team and obtaining an entry. So, that is also an intriguing prospect.”
Although Andretti received approval from the FIA to establish an 11th team, their bid was blocked by Formula One Management. The organization claimed that the American entity would not bring added value to the sport and was likely to fail. Furthermore, their bid suffered another setback when FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem reversed his earlier support for the Andretti-Cadillac project.
