In a landmark move for both H
Haas F1 Team Makes History with Laura Muller as First Female Race Engineer
Haas F1 Team Makes History with Laura Muller as First Female Race Engineer
Haas F1 Team redefines race engineering by appointing Laura Muller as the first female race engineer in Formula 1 history, signaling a commitment to diversity and a new strategic direction.
aas F1 and the sport of Formula 1, the team has announced it's restructuring its race operations team and welcoming Laura Muller as the first female race engineer. Joining the US-based team, Muller will partner with Esteban Ocon, contributing to the team’s advancements on and off the track.
Muller, originally from Germany, previously joined Haas in 2022 and now takes on a prominent role that is pivotal for drivers as they work closely on car performance, setup, and race execution. Alongside her, Carine Cridelich, who comes from Red Bull Racing Bulls, has been appointed as Haas' new head of strategy, also marking a significant shift towards inclusivity.
With this move, team principal Ayao Komatsu emphasized that the focus was not solely on gender but rather on the skills and efficiency that both Muller and Ronan O'Hare, the new race engineer for Ocon's teammate Oliver Bearman, bring to the table. According to Komatsu, the changes were necessary due to identified weaknesses in trackside operations, particularly after Haas claimed the fifth-fastest car towards the end of the previous season.
"The trackside team was one of the weakest areas last year," Komatsu explained. "We left too many points on the table." Alongside new roles, the team also filled the position of chief race engineer with Francesco Nenci, who brings experience from Audi’s Dakar Rally program, as well as Pirelli and Sauber.
In addition to focusing on team growth, Haas has also committed to maintaining its existing partnership with Ferrari, leveraging their wind tunnel and design resources while aiming to achieve better consistency on the race track. With ambitions set on reaching Formula 1’s budget cap, Haas hopes to culminate the growing roster with operational improvements.
As the 2024 season unfolds, Komatsu remains optimistic about the team’s trajectory, pushing for continued advancements despite the challenges posed by larger teams and their resources. "I want to get to a place where we can beat those sorts of people on merit," he stated confidently, marking a new chapter for Haas F1.
Muller, originally from Germany, previously joined Haas in 2022 and now takes on a prominent role that is pivotal for drivers as they work closely on car performance, setup, and race execution. Alongside her, Carine Cridelich, who comes from Red Bull Racing Bulls, has been appointed as Haas' new head of strategy, also marking a significant shift towards inclusivity.
With this move, team principal Ayao Komatsu emphasized that the focus was not solely on gender but rather on the skills and efficiency that both Muller and Ronan O'Hare, the new race engineer for Ocon's teammate Oliver Bearman, bring to the table. According to Komatsu, the changes were necessary due to identified weaknesses in trackside operations, particularly after Haas claimed the fifth-fastest car towards the end of the previous season.
"The trackside team was one of the weakest areas last year," Komatsu explained. "We left too many points on the table." Alongside new roles, the team also filled the position of chief race engineer with Francesco Nenci, who brings experience from Audi’s Dakar Rally program, as well as Pirelli and Sauber.
In addition to focusing on team growth, Haas has also committed to maintaining its existing partnership with Ferrari, leveraging their wind tunnel and design resources while aiming to achieve better consistency on the race track. With ambitions set on reaching Formula 1’s budget cap, Haas hopes to culminate the growing roster with operational improvements.
As the 2024 season unfolds, Komatsu remains optimistic about the team’s trajectory, pushing for continued advancements despite the challenges posed by larger teams and their resources. "I want to get to a place where we can beat those sorts of people on merit," he stated confidently, marking a new chapter for Haas F1.
