Szafnauer fears the departure of certain manufacturers

La F1 is still at a standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic and is not expected to resume competition until early July. If the stables record significant losses of income, this is also the case for manufacturers.

This situation worries Otmar Szafnauer, the director of Racing Point, who is closely observing the situation and questions the future of F1.

“Manufacturers develop and design cars and this business is very expensive, he recalled on Sky Sports. Their costs are significant and depend on income. If you invest billions and billions of dollars, wait for sales results and it doesn't happen, it can have a major impact. If you are a manufacturer, you are wondering if racing is a source of income for you and the answer is no because it is the sale of cars that produces wealth. »

Otmar Szafnauer is all the more concerned as he experienced a similar situation when he was a member of the management committee at Honda F1 Team.

“I remember Honda waiting and waiting because they didn't want to leave F1, but the financial crisis of 2008 unfortunately put an end to the program because it seemed like their sales were never going to rise again and they decided to withdraw (end of 2008). Things finally changed and sales picked up. They came back later. I think the same thing will happen. We will get through this, sales will pick up. For the moment, it is important to return to competition as quickly as possible”, he added.

Racing Point should evolve to become the official team ofAston Martin following the rpurchase by Lawrence Stroll, current owner of the team.