Honda appoint Vice President

Otmar Szafnauer appointed as Vice-President of Honda Racing Development Ltd

Honda Racing Development Ltd, the UK base of Honda's Formula One programme, announced today (Monday) that it has appointed Otmar Szafnauer as its first Vice-President with immediate effect.

Working closely with President Shoichi Tanaka, Otmar will be involved in the overall operation of HRD and represent Honda as its delegate to the F1 engine manufacturers working group. He will be responsible for its relationship with the FIA and its two partner teams, British American Racing and Jordan Grand Prix. He will also represent Honda at FIA Press Conferences.

Having worked as Operations Director of British American Racing (1998-2001) and previously Ford Motor Company (1986-1998), Otmar has a wealth of experience in both the motor sports and production car industries. Trained as an engineer, and holder of an MBA from the University of Detroit, Otmar has also raced as an owner-driver in the USAC Formula 2000 championship (1993 & 1994).

Commenting on the appointment Otmar said: "It is an honour to be joining Honda Racing Development. Having worked closely with many of the Honda engineers over the past three years I am looking forward to being part of the Honda family itself and helping the company to achieve its goal of winning the Formula One World Championship."

Shoichi Tanaka - President, Honda Racing Development, said: "I am very pleased that Otmar has joined us at HRD. He brings an enormous amount of engineering and management skills with him as well as being an excellent communicator. I am sure that this appointment will strengthen our F1 base in the UK."

-honda-