Otmar Szafnauer

Otmar Szafnauer is a Romanian-American engineer and senior Formula 1 executive, recognised globally as a keynote speaker on elite leadership and performance. Best known for serving as Team Principal of the BWT Alpine F1 Team, Otmar has built a career defined by strategic clarity, technical depth and competitive success at the highest level of motorsport.

Born in Semlac, Romania, Otmar moved to Detroit at the age of seven, an early transition that shaped his international perspective and adaptability. He studied electrical engineering at Wayne State University before completing a master’s degree in business and finance at the University of Detroit Mercy, combining analytical thinking with commercial understanding. His professional journey began at Ford Motor Company in 1986, where he rose to Programmes Manager and gained exposure to performance engineering and operational leadership. During this time, he also pursued his own racing ambitions, attending the Jim Russell Racing School and competing in Formula Ford. In 1998, he moved into Formula 1 as Operations Director at British American Racing, overseeing planning, manufacturing and quality control during a formative period for the team.

Otmar’s career accelerated when he joined Honda in 2001, eventually becoming Vice President of Honda Racing Development and a member of the Honda F1 management board. In this role, he advised senior leadership on regulatory and commercial negotiations and chaired the Engine Manufacturers Working Group, collaborating with major automotive brands to shape future power unit regulations. After Honda’s withdrawal from the sport, Otmar founded Soft Pauer and launched the official Formula 1 Timing App in 2009, demonstrating entrepreneurial initiative within a traditional industry. Later that year, he joined Force India as Chief Operating Officer, transforming the team into a consistent top-four contender in the Constructors’ Championship, achieving fourth place finishes in 2016 and 2017. He then became CEO and Team Principal of Racing Point, leading the team to victory at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix and another fourth-place championship finish. Continuing as CEO and Team Principal during the transition to Aston Martin, Otmar guided the organisation through ownership change and strategic expansion before being appointed Team Principal of Alpine F1 Team in 2022.

As a keynote speaker, Otmar shares lessons drawn from more than three decades in Formula 1, a sport where performance margins are microscopic and pressure is relentless. He speaks on leadership under scrutiny, managing cultural transformation, negotiation at board level and building high-performing teams grounded in trust and accountability. Otmar offers practical insight into aligning technical excellence with commercial ambition, making him an exceptional choice for organisations navigating complexity, growth or change.