Whitmarsh’s arrival does not affect my role on the Aston Martin F1 team

Whitmarsh was recently announced as Group CEO of the newly formed Aston Martin Performance Technologies.

Since leaving McLaren in 2014, the 63-year-old has been involved in the America’s Cup with Ben Ainslie Racing, most recently as Chairman of BAR Technologies.

He also had a brief advisory role with the FIA ​​on the drafting of the new financial regulations.

Szafnauer says Whitmarsh has a bigger assignment in his new job than just the racing team, which includes Aston Martin’s efforts to use F1 technology outside of sport, and therefore his own responsibilities remain unchanged.

“The F1 side will remain under my leadership and my mandate,” he said. “So I will continue to be the team principal and CEO. Martin will be Group CEO with the F1 side reporting on him.

“So I think the only thing that isn’t planned is how much of his time, because he has the whole group, is spending on each of these entities?

“I could imagine that at the beginning he will spend most of the time building up the Aston Martin Performance Technologies division, where he is gaining his latest experience, and not focusing so much on Formula 1. But what is not planned is how much of his time will be spent where. “

Martin Whitmarsh

Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images

Szafnauer says Whitmarsh brings valuable knowledge about using technology outside of sport that he acquired at both McLaren and BAR. The team’s new Silverstone base is designed to include projects outside of racing.

“He was with McLaren when they started, so he has that experience and can take us short cuts.

“He also has seven years of boat racing experience now, including starting a new company that will take technology from boat racing and use that technology in cargo ships, I think.

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“And it’s an applied technology business, technology transfer. He has good experience in this and will help us accelerate the development of our performance technology business. “