Former F1 boss Szafnauer safe after plane engine fire

Former Formula 1 team principal Otmar Szafnauer and all other passengers were safely evacuated after their Delta Airlines flight experienced an engine failure and fire shortly after takeoff from Savannah, Georgia. The Boeing 737-900 promptly returned to the airport and landed without further incident.

Why it matters:

While aviation incidents are rare, this event highlights the inherent risks of travel for the global F1 community, which constantly crisscrosses the world. For a figure like Szafnauer, a respected veteran with decades of experience at teams like Force India, Racing Point, Aston Martin, and Alpine, his safety is a relief to the paddock. It serves as a stark reminder of the off-track challenges faced by those in the sport.

The details:

• The incident occurred on Delta Flight 1067 from Savannah to Atlanta on Sunday evening. The airline confirmed a "mechanical issue" with the aircraft's left engine during takeoff.
• Szafnauer posted on Instagram, simply stating, "Fuel burning from the failed engine," alongside an image of the incident.
• Despite the failure, the crew managed to safely circle the aircraft back to Savannah Hilton Head International Airport, where it landed and was met by emergency fire crews.
• All passengers deplaned normally at the gate. Fellow passenger Holly Kesler praised the crew on social media, calling them "heroes in the sky" for their skilled handling of the situation amid challenging windy conditions that fanned the flames.
• Delta Airlines apologized for the travel delay and stated that re-accommodating passengers on alternate flights was their priority.

What's next:

Szafnauer, who left his role as Alpine team boss in early 2022, walked away from the scare unharmed. The focus now shifts to Delta's internal investigation into the mechanical failure. For Szafnauer and his fellow passengers, the event will likely be a memorable footnote in their travel logs, underscoring the importance of rigorous safety protocols in aviation.