Women in F1
Having female engineers in Formula 1 (F1) is not a rare occurrence. In fact, women are increasingly recognized for their invaluable contributions to the sport. One notable example is Hannah Smith, who has garnered significant attention during races for her strategic brilliance on the pit wall of Red Bull and was named Engineer of the Year in 2022.
However, a groundbreaking milestone is set to be achieved in 2025 with the confirmation of Laura Mueller, a German engineer, as the first track engineer in F1 history. She will be working with Haas and will serve as a vital link between the team and new driver Asín Ocon, communicating with him during broadcasts through radio conversations.
Ayao Komatsu, Haas team principal, expressed his admiration for Mueller’s exceptional work ethic, determination, and technical expertise, emphasizing that her selection was not based on her gender but rather her impressive credentials.
Additional changes within Haas include the appointment of Francesco Nenci as chief engineer and Mark Lowe as the new sports director. Furthermore, Andrea Zordo, a former Ferrari engineer, has taken on the role of technical director, while Tom Coupland, on loan from Ferrari since 2021, is now the chief designer.
Komatsu attributed the personnel changes to the team’s desire to address the loss of crucial points in the previous season.
New Additions to the Team
Ollie Bearman, a rookie starter, will be joined by Ronan O’Hare as his track engineer. Like Mueller, O’Hare has been promoted internally. Komatsu emphasized the importance of continuous improvement, with both drivers working together to push each other and boost overall performance.
Komatsu highlighted the significance of having two solid years with Bearman, emphasizing that if Ferrari were to express interest in him for the 2027 season, it would be a testament to Haas’s hard work and dedication.
