Force India's Szafnauer relieved after anxiety-ridden period

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All's well that ends well at Force India after the team's saving by a consortium led by businessman Lawrence Stroll, but COO Otmar Szafnauer will remember the anxiety that preceded the positive outcome.

Stoll has put together a group of heavy investors that have ensured the Silverstone-based outfit's future and that of its 405 employees.

It was a close call however, and a relieved Szafnauer admits it all could have gone the way of Caterham or Manor, two F1 teams that met their demise in recent years after encountering dire straits.

Force India saved by consortium led by Stroll!

"Once we went into administration, there were a couple that have been there and didn’t come out," Szafnauer told Motorsport.com.

"So, there was a lot of trepidation amongst all the team members, and a lot of anxiety, because we didn’t know where it was going to go.

"It’s a huge relief to know there’s a future for the team. We’ll be able to continue as a normal Formula 1 team."

Lawrence Stroll's involvement almost guarantees a seat at Force India in 2019 for his son Lance, but the fate of the outfit's senior management - namely Szafnauer and deputy team principal Bob Fernley - is unknown at this stage.

"It’s early days," said the American. "I would hope they would keep the senior management on.

"This just happened, I haven’t sat down with the new owners to say ‘what do you want to do?’.

"In the near future, we’ll have all those conversations. But that’s looking forwards, not looking backwards," he added.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.