Szafnauer hoping to be “the glue” that holds Alpine together

Otmar Szafnauer has expressed hope he can be “the glue” that holds Alpine together ahead of his first season in charge.

Szafnauer joined BWT Alpine from rivals Aston Martin after a number of years at the British team, taking on a new challenge at Enstone as team principal.

Speaking at the launch of the A522 which will contest the 2022 season at the hands of Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon, Szafnauer explained what he hopes to bring to the team in terms of his leadership style.

“I’ll bring my style of collaborative leadership,” said the Romanian-American. “I heard Luca [de Meo, CEO of Renault Group] mention the glue that keeps us all together is very important and I do feel that the glue that keeps us all together pointing in the right direction is key to this.

“I try to bring a really strong glue, so my style of leadership, collborativeness and trustfulness within the organisation.

Recalling the events of last year's Hungarian Grand Prix in which Alpine driver Esteban Ocon was able to beat Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel to the victory, Szafnauer added: “I’ve had the… I was going to say pleasure but I should say displeasure of racing against these formidable competitors.

“I remember too well when they beat us in Hungary and didn’t put a foot wrong, for that I congratulate them that they are such great competitors and group of racers.

“I look forward to joining them and helping them not just beat the Aston Martins of this world but everybody else on track.”

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