It was the primary identify that stood out on the presentation slide displayed on the wall in one of many assembly rooms in Haas’ UK manufacturing unit in Banbury.
Alongside the appointments of Ronan O’Hare as Oliver Bearman’s race engineer, plus the return of Mark Lowe as sporting director, Laura Muller’s identify was confirmed as Esteban Ocon’s race engineer.
Learn Additionally:
The German, a self-confessed Michael Schumacher fan who studied mechanical engineering in Munich, has grow to be F1’s first feminine race engineer in a transfer that exhibits F1 is altering, albeit slowly, to turning into extra inclusive.
The importance of her promotion is one thing that Haas group principal, Ayao Komatsu, is conscious about whereas insisting she’s there on advantage, not merely due to her gender.
Komatsu has additionally signed race strategist Carine Cridelich, who will be a part of the group on 1 March from her present publish at RB, each highlighting the rising acceptance – and success – of ladies in vital technical positions.
Muller’s promotion particularly looks like a seminal second for feminine engineers and sends a loud message of what’s attainable to youthful generations.
Komatsu stated: “Laura Mueller and Ronan O’Hare, they’ve each been efficiency engineers. Ronan has acquired extra expertise than Laura as a result of he was at Williams earlier than, whereas for Laura, Haas is the primary F1 group she’s labored for.
Ayao Komatsu, Staff Principal, Haas F1 Staff
Photograph by: Lubomir Asenov / Motorsport Photos
“However they’ve each acquired good potential and good dedication. So, we determined to advertise internally as a result of that sends an excellent message for everybody as properly. “Slightly than go for some massive names with expertise from the skin, promote anyone [who] could not have sufficient expertise to begin off with, let’s say, however has potential with good work ethic, good communication.”
Motorsport.com comes again to Komatsu to ask about Muller’s promotion and what character traits she is going to convey to the group, given the landmark appointment, and the Haas boss says she is the right match for driving on and matching Ocon’s ambition and dedication.
He stated: “She’s a decided character after which she’s very hard-working. She has an excellent work ethic.
“When it comes to wanting on the character, Esteban is a fairly decided character as properly. So from that aspect, I believe they are going to be a driving drive and their personalities match.
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Staff
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photos
“When she sees an issue, she digs deep, and she or he does not cease on the first reply.
“You realize, some individuals after they discover the primary reply they cease digging they usually say ‘oh, nice, I discovered the answer’ they usually transfer on. However no, she is aware of that there are new inquiries to reply.
“So her dedication is the one factor that impresses me essentially the most. She’s nonetheless fairly younger but she’s nonetheless fairly skilled however wants some steering and help, however together with her work ethic I believe she will progress fairly shortly.”
Muller joined Haas in 2022 and beforehand labored within the group’s simulator earlier than progressing to the function of efficiency engineer.
Komatsu says the underlying cause for any appointment within the group is how a person “suits into the group and maximises the efficiency, and Laura is the right alternative”.
He added: “Laura got here in to do the simulator job. After which a number of the race occasions. Then we have been rotating efficiency engineers for the final couple of years.
“In relation to having a race engineer, she expressed her curiosity [in the job]. And by way of her communication on the radio, she may be very clear, very calm.
“Once I knew Esteban was coming – I knew in addition to the technical aspect, the character aspect is essential, particularly when you’re a race engineer. So I might see the Laura/Esteban mixture that would work very well.”
Ocon and Muller, together with Bearman and O’Hare, have began to construct their relationships because the group embraces its new driver and race engineer line-up.
They’d their first run in the course of the Testing of Earlier Automobile programme final week in Jerez, and subsequent week will all attend the seat-fitting in Italy.
On this article
Ben Hunt
Method 1
Haas F1 Staff
Be the primary to know and subscribe for real-time information e mail updates on these subjects
Subscribe to information alerts
