Otmar Szafnauer Exclusive: The Truth Behind My Alpine Exit & The Piastri Signing

Video Description

Watch the Full Episode on The High Performance App: https://hppod.co/otmar-szafnauer Otmar Szafnauer is a seasoned figure in the world of Formula 1, known for his leadership roles with teams like Force India, Aston Martin, and Alpine. Born in Romania and immigrating to the U.S. as a child, Otmar’s unique journey shaped his approach to success in one of the most high-stakes sports in the world. His ability to navigate challenges both on and off the track has earned him a respected reputation within the motorsport community. 🚨 Partners Huel 👉 Get £25 off the Taster Bundle. Unlock your offer here: http://huel.com/highperformance Heights 👉 https://hppod.co/Heights Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 FORA 👉 Claim a free day pass at any Fora workspace and find the perfect home for your business here: https://hppod.co/FORAHP Betterhelp 👉 Be at your best. Consider therapy with our paid partner, BetterHelp. Click https://betterhelp.com/PERFORMANCE for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy. Explore offers and discounts through our other partners: https://hppod.co/partners In this episode, Jake and Damian sit down with Otmar to explore his career highlights and personal philosophies. He shares insights on the importance of psychological safety in Formula 1, explaining how learning from mistakes is crucial, yet minimising them is key to sustained success. He reflects on his time at Force India, where he made a significant impact and established a reputation that emphasised trust and risk-taking. Otmar also opens up about his experiences as an immigrant and how that mindset has influenced his approach to decision-making. He talks candidly about his tenure at Aston Martin, where expectations didn’t quite align with reality, and delves into the controversial Oscar Piastri situation, providing behind-the-scenes details. This episode offers a fascinating look at leadership, decision-making, and the personal stories that shape a successful career in one of the most demanding sports in the world. 0:00 Introduction 0:44 The Piranha Club 5:18 The Oscar Piastri Contract 9:42 Zak Brown Should Be Embarrassed 11:05 The Alpine Decline 18:51 People Talk a Good Game 23:28 Force India's Reputation 24:56 Toto Wolff's Values 28:02 Vijay Mallya's Influence 32:21 Lessons From Lawrence Stroll 34:58 Paying The Salaries 42:47 Why Do You Do This? 45:09 You Treat Them Differently 47:15 Daniel Ricciardo Situation 50:31 Sebastian Vettel's Work Ethic 52:17 Rubens Barrichello 53:34 Max Verstappen & Lando Norris 54:21 The Ultimate Marginal Gain 58:12 Quick-Fire Questions #HighPerformance #OtmarSzafnauer #F1 #Alpine