F1 News: Alpine Boss Leaves Track Before Belgian GP Even Starts With Scorching Final Statement

Otmar Szafnauer leaves Spa, ending his placement at Alpine.

Otmar Szafnauer, the soon-departing team principal of Alpine, has voiced his frustration at not being given enough runway to turn the team into a powerhouse. Not only does he leave the Belgian Grand Prix before today's race even began, but he slams his management: "You can’t get nine women pregnant and hope you have a baby in a month," he said.

Szafnauer transitioned to Alpine roughly a year and a half ago from Aston Martin, with a promise of a "100 race" plan. This was his strategy to shape the Enstone team into a formidable force on the tracks, and he did well as he found his team finishing P4 in the Constructor Standings at the end of last season.

However, after managing only 33 races, Szafnauer finds himself at the end of the road. Earlier this week, he was notified that his 34th race, the Belgian Grand Prix, would mark the end of his journey with the team.

"The reality is that changes take time," while talking to Sky Deutschland. 

“I signed some good people from other teams, but they are still stuck in their contracts and won’t come until 2024 or 2025.

“You can’t really push development if people aren’t there. It takes time for people to come and it takes time for people to work together correctly.

“I always say, you can’t get nine women pregnant and hope you have a baby in a month.”

Otmar Szafnauer leaving before the race even starts... #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/8FPH3j5Q8N

— Sir Lewis Updates (@LH44updates) July 30, 2023

This decision was made in the wake of both Laurent Rossi’s exit and the termination of sporting director Alan Permane. Meanwhile, Pat Fry has decided to shift teams to the upcoming Williams squad. 

Bruno Famin, now the interim team principal, noted a disagreement on the plan of action, stating: 

“We were not on the same line, on the timeline to recover the level of performance we are aiming for. And mutually we agreed to split our ways. And that’s it.”

Currently, Alpine is placed sixth in the Constructors’ Championship, amassing 53 points, and trailing McLaren by 44 points. But with no real management structure in place, how long will this last?