Otmar Szafnauer ‘working’ on new USA-based F1 project that isn’t Andretti

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Otmar Szafnauer has been working with a new USA-based F1 project aiming to become the 11th team on the grid. 

The former F1 team principal has been out of a full-time role in the championship since being ousted by Alpine management midway through last season. 

Since then, he has been seen in the paddock at various races while working on his event-based mobile application EventR for his company Soft Pauer. 

Speaking on the James Allen on F1 podcast, Szafnauer revealed that he is also getting involved in another project that is not the Andretti F1 team.

Otmar Szafnauer working with a potential USA-based F1 team

Szafnauer has a lot of experience in F1 having been involved with various teams over the years including BAR Racing, Honda, Force India, Aston Martin and Alpine.

He is currently on gardening leave having left his post at Alpine midway through 2023, but is evaluating fresh opportunities.

The 59-year-old has spoken about his most recent ambitions and the all-new project that has set its sights on becoming the latest F1 team on the grid.

“I’ve been working with some organisations in North America that have the funding to start an 11th team. It’s not Andretti,” said Szafnauer. 

“Now we’re just putting some of those building blocks in place to make sure that we have everything that’s required in order to be successful to both start a team, but also get an entry. So, you know, that’s interesting too.”

F1 expansion delayed after Andretti rejection

The possibility of the F1 grid expanding beyond 10 teams arose in 2023 when the FIA put out expressions of interest.

Six prospective outfits applied but only Andretti Global made the final round of talks with F1’s Commercial Rights holder Liberty Media, before it was rejected earlier this year as it did not believe an extra team would add any value to the championship.

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Andretti is continuing to pursue its project having recently moved into a new facility based in Silverstone, where it is currently working on a car for 2026.

Fresh hopes of it gaining an entry have also been made after it emerged that GM is rumoured to be looking at buying the Renault power unit project.