Otmar Szafnauer is a highly accomplished motor racing executive with over three decades of leadership experience in Formula 1. He first came to prominence in his role as Vice President of Honda Racing, then later as CEO and Team Principal of the team now known as Aston Martin Racing. His... Read more
Otmar Szafnauer is a highly accomplished motor racing executive with over three decades of leadership experience in Formula 1. He first came to prominence in his role as Vice President of Honda Racing, then later as CEO and Team Principal of the team now known as Aston Martin Racing. His most recent executive role in Formula 1 was as Team Principal of the Alpine F1 Team until mid-2023.
Szafnauer’s career began in North America where, after founding and driving for his own racing team, he secured a managerial role within Ford, managing junior racing programs.
In 1998, Szafnauer moved to Europe, joining the British American Racing (BAR) team as Operations Director. He played a critical role in establishing its operations, overseeing planning, purchasing, manufacturing, quality control and car build processes. His leadership and strategic planning helped to lay the foundation for the team’s success.
Szafnauer’s career moved up a gear when the team became the Honda Racing F1 Team. As Vice President of Honda Racing Development and later as a member of the team’s board, he was a key advisor to the President of Honda Racing, managing regulatory and commercial negotiations with the FIA and Formula One.
His leadership extended beyond the team as he chaired the Engine Manufacturers Working Group, collaborating with OEM manufacturers including Renault, BMW, Mercedes, Ferrari, Toyota and Honda to define and write the F1 engine regulations.
In 2009, Szafnauer took on the role of Chief Operating Officer at Force India, a team that was struggling at the time. Under his guidance, the team transformed into a high-performing entity, regularly finishing fourth in the World Championship. Szafnauer’s empathetic leadership and strategic direction were crucial in achieving these results, as he focused on creating a culture of high performance and psychological safety.
Szafnauer’s ability to navigate challenging situations was further demonstrated when he successfully led the team through administration, ensuring that not a single employee left during the bankruptcy process and subsequent sale.
Rising from the ashes of Force India, Szafnauer became the Team Principal and CEO of the Racing Point team, the team winning the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix and finishing 4th in the World Championship for Constructors. He continued in his role when the team was subsequently sold to Aston Martin and continued to drive success, recruiting top talent including 4-times World Champion Sebastian Vettel.
Most recently, Szafnauer served as Team Principal of the Alpine F1 Team, where he initiated cultural changes and led the team to its highest-ever finishing position in the 2023 F1 Championship. Throughout his career, Otmar Szafnauer has demonstrated a unique ability to combine strategic vision, technical expertise and empathetic leadership to achieve success in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.
You can book Otmar Szafnauer through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Otmar's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Otmar Szafnauer's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Otmar tailored to your event.
Otmar Szafnauer speaks on Business & Management, Performance, Sports, Teamwork. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Otmar to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Otmar Szafnauer for events worldwide, subject to Otmar's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Otmar Szafnauer is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Otmar can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Otmar Szafnauer on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Otmar can offer.
Otmar Szafnauer delivers keynotes in English. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Otmar Szafnauer's areas of expertise include Business & Management, Performance, Sports, Teamwork. To get a clear sense of Otmar's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Otmar Szafnauer can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Business & Management, Performance, Sports, Teamwork is relevant. Details of Otmar's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Otmar Szafnauer is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Otmar Szafnauer, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Otmar's current availability for your dates.