Otmar Szafnauer appointed CEO of Van Amersfoort Racing for 2026 F2 season

Otmar Szafnauer, dismissed by Alpine after the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix, has been appointed CEO and managing partner of Van Amersfoort Racing. The Dutch junior‑team will run the 2026 Formula 2 season under his leadership, with Nicolas Varrone and Rafael Villagomez slated as drivers.

Why it matters:

• Szafnauer brings decades of F1 experience, from Force India to Aston Martin and Alpine, which could accelerate VAR’s talent development and attract sponsors.

The details:

• Szafnauer joined Van Amersfoort Racing as CEO and managing partner ahead of the 2026 F2 season opener at the Australian Grand Prix.
• The 2026 driver line‑up features Argentina’s Nicolas Varrone and Mexico’s Rafael Villagomez.
• VAR, a proven junior‑category team, has produced drivers like Jos Verstappen (father of Max Verstappen).

What's next:

• Szafnauer will steer VAR’s 2026 F2 campaign from Melbourne, targeting strong results and showcasing his management style.
• He continues talks with American investors and Cadillac about a possible 12th F1 team, with VAR positioned as a potential launchpad.
• The F2 paddock will watch closely; any performance lift under Szafnauer could reshape the feeder series ahead of the 2026 F1 season.