Otmar Szafnauer: The Truth Behind My Alpine Exit & The Piastri Signing (E295)
The High Performance Podcast
High Performance
4.8 • 4.7K Ratings
🗓️ 7 October 2024
⏱️ 72 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
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.
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.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The value of winning is big in F1. The thing that I like most is competition and when you're in that piranha club you don't have to be a shark or a piranha. There's a few things that went wrong at Alpine, one of which was I didn't have control over the entire team. |
| 0:18.0 | I had absolutely nothing to do with not signing Oscar Piester |
| 0:25.0 | correctly. |
| 0:27.0 | That is the voice of Formula One team boss |
| 0:30.0 | Omar Safenauer |
| 0:31.0 | who joins us on this episode of High Performance, |
| 0:33.4 | the show that explores the stories and the ideas |
| 0:36.1 | of some of the most extraordinary people in the world. |
| 0:38.9 | I'm Jett Cumphrey, and like a lot of you, |
| 0:41.0 | I'm just simply fascinated by becoming a better version of myself. |
| 0:45.0 | And I'm Damien Hughes, an expert in the world of high performance. |
| 0:49.0 | I've worked with the England National Football team, the Scotland Rugby team, and a range of professional sports |
| 0:54.6 | teams right across the world, as well as with leading business people to help them understand |
| 0:59.5 | how to get the best out of themselves and others. In this podcast we discuss both how people achieve great things and the why that drives them. |
| 1:09.2 | Now I'm sure that you are particularly interested in this conversation, Damien, because because as you just said you've spent your |
| 1:14.3 | life around high performing teams trying to help them find the edge and this is a conversation with a man who did exactly that but crucially as we're about to hear he sought success |
| 1:25.2 | through applying kindness empathy understanding and communication I just |
| 1:30.0 | wonder how rare that actually is in the world. |
| 1:32.6 | Yeah, I think a lot of people talk a good game around culture and all these kind of softer skills |
| 1:38.0 | Jake and often when you're in high-pressure situations that's the moment those things get discarded and yet what's |
| 1:45.5 | interesting with oatmeal is how he was entirely consistent with every team he's gone |
| 1:50.0 | to he's put this at the front and center and that's led to his success. |
... |
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