Otmar Szafnauer is full of praise for Van Amersfoort Racing, he says in an exclusive interview with FORMULE 1 Magazine. The former F1 team boss has been CEO and Managing Partner of the renowned Dutch team since the beginning of this year.
The Romanian American speaks with appreciation about Rafael Villagómez senior, Brad Joyce and, of course, founders Frits van Amersfoort and Rob Niessink. The history also speaks volumes. “If you have been active as a team in motorsport for 51 years, you are doing something right. Otherwise, you wouldn’t last that long. I think it’s great that I can now contribute to it,” says Szafnauer in the latest edition of FORMULE 1 Magazine.
From team management to mechanics to support, such as marketing, PR and other tasks; according to Szafnauer, Van Amersfoort has it all well organized. He gives an example: “In my time in Formula 1, I sometimes had to adjust more things in, for example, PR texts than at VAR. That is a compliment to the people of this team. And anyway, I love the culture; they are hard workers and very passionate.”
‘It says a lot’
In addition to all the skilled Dutch employees, Brad Joyce, the current team boss of VAR, also stands out. Szafnauer already knew him from their time together at Force India and later Aston Martin. Szafnauer even once tipped Villagómez about Joyce.
“I know how good Brad is; he has a lifetime of experience as an engineer. So when I heard he was leaving Aston Martin, I then tipped ‘Rafa’ that he was becoming available.”
How much Joyce, in turn, enjoyed his time at Van Amersfoort Racing quickly became apparent. There was a chance to become an F1 engineer again, but Joyce stayed with VAR. Szafnauer: “That says a lot about how people feel about Van Amersfoort Racing and how much they feel at home.”
The full interview, including the answer to the question of whether Szafnauer wants to go to F1 with VAR, can be read in the latest edition of FORMULE 1 Magazine! Get it now in stores or order it online below, with free delivery throughout the Netherlands.
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