![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/otmar-szafnauer-speaks-out-after-alpine-axe-and-explains-argument-behind-f1-exit/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0_F1-Grand-Prix-of-USA-Practice.jpg&description=Szafnauer spent just 18 months as team principal of the Alpine F1 team before he was axed during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend over disagreements with the Renault board Otmar Szafnauer said his Alpine exit came after Renault chiefs rejected his proposed timeline for Formula 1 success. The 58-year-old joined the Enstone squad at the start of 2022. And, during that time, he and other key figures at the team have consistently referenced their '100-race plan'. As much as that is a nice soundbite, there has never really been much clarity over what exactly the plan is, or what the expected end goal after those 100 races was. But what is for sure now is that, somewhere along the way, the expectations of the team principal and the top Renault bosses diverged. Szafnauer's departure was announced at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. And he was not the only high-profile figure to leave, as sporting director Alan Permane also departs after 34 years at Enstone and chief technical officer Pat Fry is to join Williams. It was a clear that it was a difference of opinion of some sort which led to Szafnauer's departure. But now he has confirmed that it was his outlook on the future which was deemed to be unacceptable by demanding Renault chiefs. "Yeah, it was definitely mutual," he said. "I laid out the timelines as to how long it takes in F1 to effect change. You know, it's not a football team — it's only two and 998 technicians, engineers and aerodynamicists, and to change a culture takes time. "The timeline wasn't accepted by the bosses of Renault — they wanted it quicker and that's what we disagreed upon. So, yeah, mutual." The new football season is nearly upon us and with 500 live games to watch, as well access to Cricket, Golf, F1, Boxing, NFL and the NBA across eight dedicated channels, Sky Sports is the only way to watch all the action. Get Sky Sports from £22 a month Szafnauer also confirmed that he must observe a 12-month period of gardening leave and not join a){kind=link}
Szafnauer spent just 18 months as team principal of the Alpine F1 team before he was axed during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend over disagreements with the Renault board
Otmar Szafnauer said his Alpine exit came after Renault chiefs rejected his proposed timeline for Formula 1 success.
The 58-year-old joined the Enstone squad at the start of 2022. And, during that time, he and other key figures at the team have consistently referenced their ‘100-race plan’.
As much as that is a nice soundbite, there has never really been much clarity over what exactly the plan is, or what the expected end goal after those 100 races was. But what is for sure now is that, somewhere along the way, the expectations of the team principal and the top Renault bosses diverged.
Szafnauer’s departure was announced at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. And he was not the only high-profile figure to leave, as sporting director Alan Permane also departs after 34 years at Enstone and chief technical officer Pat Fry is to join Williams.