Schumacher suggests Szafnauer as Haas team boss: 'Technical expertise'

Ayao Komatsu has been the new team boss of US constructor Haas in Formula 1 since the departure of Guenther Steiner. Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher thought of someone else as team boss of Gene Haas' formation. According to him, Otmar Szafnauer would have been the perfect man for the job at the team of Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg.

"We need someone who can motivate and encourage the team. And I think Otmar is the right man for that," Schumacher told Formel1.de. "Otmar is someone who is well-known in Formula 1 and who also has expertise. One thing is technical expertise, for example," Schumacher explained.

Szafnauer left Alpine after a mediocre start to 2023. The 59-year-old man left after the Belgian Grand Prix. Szafnauer and others left a big hole at the French team. CEO Laurent Rossi, sporting director Alan Permane and Pat Fry also left the team.

Schumacher does regret not seeing Steiner as team boss anymore. "He was really a brand. It's a shame that he is leaving Formula 1," the German with six Formula 1 victories to his name continued. "But maybe it was also time to fill the position with a new one. Only time will tell."