In a significant development for Formula 1, Haas F1 Team has appointed German engineer Laura Muller as the sport's first female race engineer. This milestone comes with the restructuring of their race operations team, where Muller will partner with new driver Esteban Ocon. Additionally, Carine Cridelich has been named head of strategy, also marking a notable presence of women in leadership roles within the team.
Haas Makes History with First Female Race Engineer in F1
Haas Makes History with First Female Race Engineer in F1
Haas F1 Team announces Laura Muller as the first female race engineer, alongside new strategic leadership.
Muller's role is pivotal as the race engineer, where she will directly communicate with drivers during races to optimize performance. Team principal Ayao Komatsu emphasized the team's commitment to merit-based selection, stating that the focus remains on skill and suitability for the job regardless of gender. This approach reflects a progressive shift in the often male-dominated arena of Formula 1, aligning with a broader trend of increasing diversity in the sport.
The reorganization includes other significant changes, such as appointing Francesco Nenci as chief race engineer, who brings experience from Audi’s Dakar Rally program, as well as other motorsport teams. Mark Lowe will also join as sporting director, positions that were previously unfilled for Haas.
Komatsu noted the need for improvement in trackside operations after an underwhelming performance last season, where the team finished seventh in the constructors' standings despite having a competitive car. Anticipating a better year ahead, he expressed ambitions for consistency and success amid the team's unique low-budget operational structure strategically partnering with Ferrari.
Haas aims to further elevate its competitive edge while maintaining resources, fostering a work environment where individuals thrive based on capabilities rather than conventional benchmarks of success. Their commitment to diversifying the team structure signifies a promising step forward, both for Haas and for women in motorsport.
For the upcoming season, Haas is expected to fully utilize its budget cap for the first time, persisting with previous designs for reliability while remaining dedicated to refining their engineering strategies on the track.
The reorganization includes other significant changes, such as appointing Francesco Nenci as chief race engineer, who brings experience from Audi’s Dakar Rally program, as well as other motorsport teams. Mark Lowe will also join as sporting director, positions that were previously unfilled for Haas.
Komatsu noted the need for improvement in trackside operations after an underwhelming performance last season, where the team finished seventh in the constructors' standings despite having a competitive car. Anticipating a better year ahead, he expressed ambitions for consistency and success amid the team's unique low-budget operational structure strategically partnering with Ferrari.
Haas aims to further elevate its competitive edge while maintaining resources, fostering a work environment where individuals thrive based on capabilities rather than conventional benchmarks of success. Their commitment to diversifying the team structure signifies a promising step forward, both for Haas and for women in motorsport.
For the upcoming season, Haas is expected to fully utilize its budget cap for the first time, persisting with previous designs for reliability while remaining dedicated to refining their engineering strategies on the track.
