Zoomed Out: The Inside Story of Otmar Szafnauer’s Abrupt Departure from Alpine F1 Team

Reflecting on his 2023 exit, former Alpine F1 team principal Otmar Szafnauer shares his experience of being harshly dismissed via Zoom.

Otmar Szafnauer has shared the circumstances of his dismissal from Alpine, revealing that Renault executives delivered the news through a Zoom call.

During the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Szafnauer was relieved of his duties as the team principal of Alpine F1.

He had taken the helm just 18 months prior, transitioning from his role at Aston Martin.

Although Alpine hadn't made significant progress in competing with the leading teams, they had definitely secured a position above the middle pack, achieving two podium finishes in the 2023 season.

Nonetheless, Renault's highest executives found his performance unsatisfactory and chose to dismiss him amid the race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps.

Discussing his termination, Szafnauer shared on the High Performance podcast, "It was communicated via a Zoom call by the chief of Renault HR, the Renault Group HR," Szafnauer explained.

Delving deeper into his dismissal, Szafnauer shared that there was a disagreement over the approach to modify the team's culture.

He mentioned, "Some proposed that I should alter the corporate environment differently from what I believed was the appropriate approach."

"I understand the steps to transform a business environment into one characterized by a victorious mindset and a sense of psychological security, a process I was in the midst of implementing."

"The goal was to alter the company culture in a unique way, which involved dismissing individuals who had been effectively fulfilling their roles for many years. My perspective was that dismissing competent employees sends a counterproductive message: excel in your work and get terminated. This certainly doesn't cultivate the type of culture one would desire."

Without the American, Alpine experienced a disappointing 2024 season.

They are currently ranked ninth in the Formula 1 constructors' standings and have ceased development on their engine program for 2026.

Evaluating the challenges faced by Alpine, he mentioned, "It's not due to my departure. It's due to the departure of a large group of individuals."

"The individuals who departed truly excelled in their roles. Currently, the majority have joined different groups."

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