Race number four could also be a possibility if the chance ever arises, according to Szafnauer, whom I spoke to at the paddock near the Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the Miami Dolphins. F1 has been hosted in the southern city of Florida for the third year.
When asked about the potential of having four races in the United States, the 59-year-old Szafnauer stated, “Yes, I have always personally expressed that sentiment. It would be much easier if the races were actually destination events. Las Vegas is a destination, Miami is a destination, and for me, Austin is a city that I love.”
“So, in my opinion, four races would be appropriate for a country with over 300 million people, a country where Formula 1 is becoming increasingly popular, and a country where everyone loves sports. Therefore, yes, we can have four races. Additionally, New York would be a destination for me.”
“I have a special fondness for Detroit. So, I would say yes, but it’s not about me. It’s about the fans. Is it considered a destination?” Szafanuer commented on the possibility of F1 racing in his hometown.
Regarding his future, after Alpine F1 Team’s peculiar management strategy led to Szafnauer being asked to leave before he had the chance to make an impact on the French team, he shared, “My gardening leave ends in mid-August.”
“I can work for another team starting from September, but you know, there are ten F1 teams and ten F1 team principals. So, I will see if I can assist anyone with their program. I am currently in discussions with people,” the American revealed.
This led to Szafnaer’s thoughts on fellow American Logan Sargeant, who has been under scrutiny for his below-average performances at Williams and is arguably the first driver in line to lose his job. Some speculate that he could be replaced by Mercedes’s highly-touted protege Kimi Antonelli at Imola.
However, Szafanuer supports Williams in keeping faith in the local talent and supports Sargeant’s case, stating, “I would definitely keep him on for the remainder of this year to see if there is any improvement and what trajectory he is on. I would not replace him at this time.”
As for his fondest F1 memory, Szafnauer looked back to 2020, stating, “For me, it’s all about winning. One of my best moments was when I was the team principal at Racing Point and Sergio Perez went from last place to winning the race in Bahrain. That was truly remarkable.” (Interview by Nasir Hameed in Miami)