Szafnauer linked to Alpine following Budkowski's departure
Marcin Budkowski has left Alpine after a four-year stint at the Enstone-based team.
Former Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer is being linked with a move to Alpine, following the team announcing the departure of Marcin Budkowski as executive director.
In the meantime, Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi will "temporarily ensure the team's management" before they secure a replacement.
The Frenchman displayed his gratitude to the departing Budkowski, who joined the team under its Renault guise in 2017.
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"I would like to thank Marcin Budkowski for his commitment and contribution to the team's results over the last four years," said Rossi.
He maintained that his squad are still looking ahead to the 2022 season, where they will seek to maximise the new regulations introduced this year.
"The team is fully focused on getting the car ready for the first race in Bahrain and deliver a step beyond in performance," added the Frenchman.
Budkowski returned the pleasantries, and added that he will be cheering Alpine on next season.
"I truly enjoyed being part of the leadership team of Renault then Alpine F1 Team, working with such a talented and dedicated group of people.
"I will be watching the teams' progress fondly in the seasons to come," said the 44-year-old.
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Late last season, Szafnauer had been linked with a move to Alpine.
Now that he has vacated his position at Aston Martin, reports suggest that he will be drafted in by the French outfit, who have a vacant place in their management structure following Budkowski's departure.
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The Pole spent a year at the Prost team in 2001, before working with Ferrari between 2002 and 2007.
He signed with McLaren in 2008, but would ultimately be forced out of the team in 2014 as they restructured to accommodate Honda as their engine supplier for 2015.
Following a stint in a technical position with the FIA, he joined Renault at the end of 2017.
While Szafnauer is tipped to take Budkowski's job, the Warsaw-born engineer is rumoured to be heading the other way to fill the Romanian-American's position at the Silverstone-based team.