🗣️ The Team Principal Podcast: How to integrate a new driver into an F1 team (early access)
Added 2025-02-21 09:38:14 +0000 UTCAs promised, here's early access to the very first episode of The Team Principal Podcast with Otmar Szafnauer!
After a winter of unprecedented movement on the grid, the former Aston Martin and Alpine boss is joined by The Race's Ben Anderson to discuss how a team principal goes about integrating a new driver into a team.
First, Otmar talks about Lewis Hamilton's switch from Mercedes to Ferrari and the role Scuderia boss Fred Vasseur will have played in helping the seven-time world champion settle over the winter.
Otmar offers his thoughts on what he'd do if he was in Fred's shoes, and then contrasts that approach with the approach Mercedes boss Toto Wolff will have to adopt to help Hamilton's replacement - rookie Kimi Antonelli - settle into his new life as a full-time grand prix driver.
Within the discussion, Otmar reveals the techniques and strategies he used in his own career, and explains why being able to adapt your approach to suit the unique personality of each driver is so important for a team principal.
To round off the episode, Otmar casts an eye over 2025's driver pairings, giving his team principal's take on which of the duos will be the most harmonious, which he'd like to manage, and which he expects to provide fireworks...
Comments
Excellent podcast! Looking forward to more of this format. Who do we think driver X is? Takuma Sato maybe?
Duncan Bertram
2025-02-26 13:06:09 +0000 UTCWithout doubt 😂
Andrew Narduzzi
2025-02-25 09:18:55 +0000 UTCI have to say that I was blown away by how natural Ben seemed leading the discussion. That wouldn’t have been easy, and loved seeing that side of his talents. And great to get Otmar’s perspective. For me, it improved as it went and Otmar seemed to get more comfortable.
Andrew Narduzzi
2025-02-24 19:28:09 +0000 UTCWe're still going to take the piss out of Ben though right?
Simon Emms
2025-02-24 19:23:37 +0000 UTCCouldn’t agree more!
Andrew Narduzzi
2025-02-24 19:22:16 +0000 UTCAs others have said, I really enjoyed this and the interplay between Ben and Otmar was excellent - there were a few times that Ben got more out of Otmar than I suspect Otmar originally intended to say!
Tom Miller
2025-02-24 14:32:38 +0000 UTCAn excellent addition to the Race. Otmar and Ben work very well together.
Olly Wright
2025-02-22 19:38:04 +0000 UTCAnother great podcast. Rapidly running out of time to listen to everything!
Porpoising Papayas
2025-02-22 13:16:35 +0000 UTCI wasn't sure exactly what to expect. I kind of knew The-Race wouldn't disappoint, but even still, that exceeded my expectations. Right from Otmar speaking first, through to him having the final say, the format worked a treat. As Simon said, Ben expertly handled his role perfectly, drawing out Otmar, and guiding the flow of the discussion. You're onto a winner The-Race.
Michael Holden
2025-02-22 09:05:21 +0000 UTCOhhhh this is so great! Love Otmar! What a fab idea and great duo! Thank you so much.
Lane
2025-02-22 05:15:25 +0000 UTCLove this!
Nick
2025-02-21 19:57:16 +0000 UTCGreat news for us, Otmar’s podcast!
Miguel
2025-02-21 18:54:28 +0000 UTCExcellent idea! We have a top season ahead both on and off track and here on The Race! 🌟
John Glynn
2025-02-21 12:33:05 +0000 UTCI randomly met Otmar in my hotel lobby this past year at the Montreal race and he was a super nice guy. Great to listen to him on this podcast!
Owen
2025-02-21 11:56:15 +0000 UTCThis is such a brilliant idea that it's obvious in hindsight. Also, a word on Ben. I know we (lovingly) take the piss out of him in BBV10s, but he is a brilliant journalist and co-host. Him and Otmar work well together.
Simon Emms
2025-02-21 10:16:43 +0000 UTC
