Perez surprised at departure of F1 team boss: 'You have to give him time'

31 July 2023 at 13:23

Last update 31 July 2023 at 13:50

Sam Godber

The weekend at Spa-Francorchamps had barely begun when a huge rumour was already coming out. Otmar Szafnauer and Alan Permane would resign their positions after the Belgian Grand Prix. These rumours were confirmed by Alpine itself shortly afterwards. Sergio Perez reacts to Szafnauer's departure as Formula 1 team boss.

Perez on former colleague Szafnauer

Szafnauer, like Perez, was employed at Force India a few years ago. The Mexican therefore has good words to say about the Alpine man. "I think I was quite surprised with it, given how short-noticed it was, you know, I think Otmar is great," says the Red Bull driver.

"I've seen what he's done in other teams with very limited budgets and with not so limited budgets as well, so I think, yeah, I think it's a shame that they let him go, but I think on the other hand, whoever comes needs to have proper time, because all these things in Formula One takes a massive time," Perez said.