Aston Martin announces departure of Otmar Szafnauer!

The Aston Martin F1 team has announced that team principal Otmar Szafnauer has left the Silverstone-based outfit.

The team offered no insight into the reasons for Szafnauer's exit or into who may replace the American as the outfit's team principal, stating that the latter's role 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," commented Aston Martin in its statement.

"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."

Read also - F1i Team Report Card for 2021: Aston Martin

Szafnauer's departure inevitably revives the prospect of a move to the Alpine squad for the American, as was rumored last November.

At the time, the 57-year-old dismissed the hearsay as "pure media speculation and not based on fact".

However, Alpine chief executive Laurent Rossi alluded on several occasions last year to future management changes at the Enstone squad, comments that lent credence to the speculation surrounding Szafnauer.

The former Aston Martin team boss was a long-standing member of Team Silverstone, having joined the outfit in 2009 under its Force India guise.

Szafnauer helped steer the outfit through some tumultuous times in the past but also oversaw some impressive results. However, its performance under the Aston Martin banner last year was disappointing.

Szafnauer was also instrumental in attracting four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel to Lawrence Stroll's outfit.

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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.