Meet Laura Mueller from Haas: the first female racing engineer in Formula 1!

Laura Mueller: A pioneer in the world of F1

In the world of F1 since its creation in 1950, Laura Mueller today embodies a driving force behind the scenes, with the mission of ensuring that Esteban Ocon achieves his best performances and propels the Haas team to a new level of success. success. The Haas F1 team marked a turning point in its history by appointing Laura Mueller as Race Engineer for Ocon, who joined the team this year following her departure from Alpine. Since finishing last in 2023, Team USA has undergone significant structural changes, culminating in a formidable seventh-place finish in 2024.

Mueller, who has been with the Haas team since 2022, now takes on this decisive role of Race Engineer for Ocon. Here's everything you need to know about Mueller and the key responsibilities that await him during this transformational phase for Haas.

1. A decade of racing experience

Laura Mueller made her debut in the world of racing in 2014. She began an internship at Phoenix Racing GmbH in the German Supertouring Championship. In 2016, she continued her career with Josef Kaufmann Racing in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0. After two years as an engineer in the NEC and Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, Mueller joined Hero Motosport in the Brazilian Stockcar Championship. Her trajectory then led her to international endurance racing and, since 2022, she has been part of F1, the fastest motorsport in the world.

2. The role of race engineer

The race engineer acts as a strategist, therapist and essential connection between the driver and the team. Laura Mueller's role is to strategize to ensure the car delivers optimal performance throughout the race weekend. It translates complex technical data into simple, usable information for the pilot. In addition to her technical responsibilities, she is also responsible for carrying out detailed post-race analyses.

During races, the Race Engineer is the eyes and ears of the driver, providing updates on opposing team strategies, tire management and performance feedback. She is the intellect of the operation, ensuring the car performs at its best and keeping the driver calm under pressure.

3. A perfect match for Haas

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu played a crucial role in the team's rise, propelling it from the back of the field to seventh place last year. Confident in its process, Haas is undergoing significant changes, with Laura Mueller as a key part of this transformation. Komatsu expresses complete confidence in Mueller, who has been appointed Race Engineer for their lead driver, Esteban Ocon. In an interview with Formula1.com, he said: “He is a very determined person… Personality-wise, Esteban is also very motivated. I think their personalities mesh well, which will drive success.”

Komatsu has insisted that promotions within the team are based solely on merit. He clarified: “If you look at the number of female engineers in our offices, it is clearly higher than before. But I didn't choose Laura for her gender. Nationality, gender, all that doesn't matter. What really matters is the quality of the work, the ability to integrate into the team and maximize performance. I firmly believe this is the right choice.”

Good to know

• Laura Mueller was able to progress through different racing disciplines before joining Formula 1.
• The role of race engineer is essential for strategic driving and performance management on the track.
• The Haas F1 Team continues to make efforts to diversify its roster and promote talent regardless of gender.

• Source image(s) : www.financialexpress.com
• Source : https://www.financialexpress.com/auto/motor-sports/meet-laura-mueller-from-haas-formula-1s-first-female-race-engineer/3722328/