Haas Names Laura Mueller F1's First Female Race Engineer

Haas has made history by appointing Laura Mueller as Formula One's first female race engineer, a significant step towards inclusivity in motorsport. Mueller, who was previously a performance engineer with the team, will work with driver Esteban Ocon during the upcoming season. Team principal Ayao Komatsu emphasized that Mueller's selection was based on her work ethic and compatibility with Ocon, rather than her gender. This appointment is part of a broader restructuring at Haas, which includes hiring Francesco Nenci as chief race engineer and Carine Cridelich as head of strategy, also a female leader. Komatsu noted that these changes come after recognizing weaknesses in the team's trackside operations and a need for improvement following a seventh-place finish last season. The team aims to maximize performance and build on its competitiveness with these strategic hires.