Aston Martin recruitment drive is ‘classic poaching’ - Szafnauer
Aston Martin recruitment drive is ‘classic poaching’ - Szafnauer
Otmar Szafnauer has confessed that Aston Martin is employing ‘classic poaching’ tactics in its recruitment drive to double the size of its personnel.
The team, borne out of Racing Point earlier this year, recently announced former Red Bull designer Andrew Alessi as head of technical operations after signing up Red Bull aerodynamicist Dan Fallows and Luca Furbatto from Alfa Romeo.
The team is aiming to almost double its workforce over the next few months. Team principal Szafnauer said: “In the short term, we are growing.
"We’ve grown from 405 people, we’re almost at 550 now, and we’ve got plans to grow to above 750.
“We need to add another 200, maybe even 250. We’ve added 150, so we're growing and we’ve got to grow with like-minded individuals and people who can help the already great group of people we have.
“We have to be careful in the hiring to pick the right people that have the same objectives, philosophy and passion for a better future that the rest of us do.”
Szafnauer, who has revealed Alessi was signed ahead of Fallows, added: “It’s still a work in progress and there are a few more senior positions we are looking to fill, some of which we’ve filled and will announce soon.”
Asked if Aston’s move was classic poaching or related to the cost cap causing other teams to release people, Szafnauer said: “I think it’s the former rather than the latter.”
Red Bull causing start delays
High-level technical positions often come with extended gardening leave requirements, preventing teams from benefitting from knowledge the individual could bring from their previous team.
Fallows is reportedly required to have a two-year break before starting work with his new employer, but Szafnauer is planning to negotiate a more rapid start to his time at Aston Martin.
Asked if he had already commenced discussions, Szafnauer said: “No. [I will do that] either now or in the near future. I haven’t planned anything, but we’ve got more time, it’s been a busy three weeks."
Szafnauer insisted all hires are part of chief technical officer Andrew Green’s “vision of the future” adding: “He will be making those strategic decisions but in collaboration with the new people and the people that we have.
“We are all going to be aligned and the people we’ve recently announced and hired, we’ve had long discussions with to make sure we’re all aligned before we offer them the job. So it won’t be a surprise.
“As we grow from 400 people to 800, rough numbers, the other bits of the organisation will have to grow too. All the support functions, IT will have to get bigger, HR will have to get bigger, so we will be growing.”
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Horner delivers threat to Ricciardo over Red Bull pressure
- 22 minutes ago
F1 Sprint Race Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
- 52 minutes ago
Wolff left FUMING with Mercedes despite amazing Hamilton lap
- 1 hour ago
Verstappen admits Red Bull 'DESERVED' horror China qualifying
- 2 hours ago
F1 News Today: Verstappen suffers MAJOR China defeat as F1 star LOSES pole after FIA intervention
- 2 hours ago
FIA announce crucial top three UPDATE in China after investigating F1 star
- 3 hours ago
Related news
Driver suggests Newey tempted by 'enticing' offer from F1 rivals
Alonso hints at another EXTENSION to F1 career
Stroll's F1 exit dilemma RIDICULED by former driver
Alonso in U-turn revelation on Aston Martin deal
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860