SUMMARY
- Force India, now Aston Martin, faced controversy under Vijay Mallya and a financial struggle before Lawrence Stroll's acquisition.
- Otmar Szafnauer is critical of Stroll's management while highlighting the differences between him and Mallya.
Force India, owned by Indian businessman Vijay Mallya, stands out as one of the most controversial teams in Formula 1 history. Lawrence Stroll later acquired the team, rebranding it as Aston Martin. In 2018, the Canadian tycoon found himself in charge of Force India, which was struggling financially and went into administration. Strolls’s takeover also led to the sacking of former team lead, Otmar Szafnauer.
Szafnauer then moved to Alpine to carry out a similar role until he was axed yet again. However, Stroll seemed to have made it to the bad books of the Romanian engineer. Szafnauer criticized Lawrence Stroll while drawing a parallel with the previous owner, Vijay Mallya. He rightfully pointed out the differing management styles of Mallya and Stroll and had barely any nice things to say for the latter.
Szafnauer questions Lawrence Stroll while favoring Mallya
The demise of the Force India team was driven by Vijay Mallya’s legal troubles which led to its eventual sale. As soon as the 64-year-old businessman took over, he enlisted his son Lance Stroll from Williams to join the Silverstone team. According to him, Mallya adopted a more hands-off approach, whereas Stroll engages in team affairs.
The former team principal stated, “The significant differences are Vijay was hands-off. Vijay didn’t have a son in the car either. So because of it, there’s less emotion and more objective decision-making.” Szafnauer went on to add, “Lawrence actually spent a lot more money in being able to get that performance… Ironically, the performance at the end of Force India was better than they’re performing today.”
Otmar Szafnauer:
“Aston Martin haven’t matched Force India’s peak yet”
“The significant differences are, Vijay was hands-off – Vijay didn’t have a son in the car either, So because of it, there’s less emotion and more objective decision-making”
“Lawrence actually spent a lot… pic.twitter.com/hA3DFdVcqv
— Aston Martin F1 updates (@startonpole) January 31, 2024
Stroll made substantial investments towards champion drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso with the aim of better outcomes. However, Aston Martin’s performance in the 2021 and 2022 seasons fell short of expectations. Although they made a marvelous comeback in 2023 with eight podium finishes under the bag by Alonso, Stroll’s son Lance fell behind his teammate.
What to expect from Aston Martin in the 2024 season?
Aston Martin did achieve whatever they possibly could, but the conclusion of 2023 led the team on shaky ground, losing the momentum gained earlier. The car, initially the second-fastest, ended up justifiably placed as the fifth-fastest towards the end of the campaign. However, the upcoming F1 season holds significance in shaping expectations for the Silverstone-based team.
Over two decades in, still as hungry as ever. 🤝
Tap below to watch as @alo_oficial and the rest of the team prepare for the 2024 F1 season.
— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) January 28, 2024
If Aston Martin has a clear strategy, it could contend at the front for podium finishes with the potential they hold. At the moment, a cautious prediction places the team perhaps a step behind the top 5 ones. Despite signs of improvement towards the end of the last season, the team still lags in car development as pointed out by their veteran driver.
Unfortunately, winter break may not be long enough for Aston Martin to catch up with the frontrunners.
