F1 Today | Champion finds new role, Ex-team boss experiences scary plane incident

22:01, 23 Feb

byKada Sarkozi

A former F1 team principal experiences a scary plane incident and a former world champion finds a new role in Formula 1: recap the best news of the day with GPblog!

Otmar Szafnauer survives scary plane incident in the United States

Szafnauer revealed on social media that he was involved in a scary incident. The former team boss was flying with Delta Airlines in the United States when the plane's engine failed.

Luckily, no one was injured after an emergency landing. Szafnauer also posted an image with the pilots, thanking them for their outstanding job.

Otmar Szafnauer in the F1 paddock - Photo: Race Pictures

Damon Hill finds new position in Formula 1

The 1996 Formula 1 world champion returns to the team he won his only title with, Williams Racing. The Briton will become the team's ambassador alongside Jacques Villeneuve and Jamie Chadwick.

Hill said: "Williams is truly a special place for me and where some of the defining moments of my career took place.

"I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of this sport and to have achieved what I did, and returning as an Ambassador is a real privilege. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the team’s history and help to support its legacy and future."

Mercedes also announced that a new development driver has joined their team. Former Formula 2 champion and current WEC driver Théo Pourchaire joins the German team. He is the team's fourth development driver alongside Joshua Durksen, Doriane Pin and Anthony Davidson.