Haas Formula 1 team has announced a significant restructuring of its race operations, including the historic appointment of Laura Muller as the sport’s first female race engineer. Muller will work closely with Esteban Ocon, while Ronan O’Hare has been promoted to serve as Oliver Bearman’s race engineer.
In addition, the team has recruited Carine Cridelich as their new head of strategy, making her one of several female leaders in F1 strategy roles.
Key Appointments and Roles
- Laura Muller:
- Becomes the first female race engineer in F1.
- Will manage car performance, set-up, and strategy for Esteban Ocon.
- Carine Cridelich:
- Joins Haas from Red Bull Racing Bulls as head of strategy, effective 1 March.
- Follows the trailblazing efforts of other female strategists like Hannah Schmitz at Red Bull.
- Ronan O’Hare:
- Promoted to race engineer for Oliver Bearman, transitioning from his role as a performance engineer.
Why These Changes Matter
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu emphasized that the appointments were based purely on merit, saying:
“It’s not like I chose Laura because she’s female. Nationality, gender—none of that matters. What matters is performance and teamwork.”
These changes aim to address weaknesses Komatsu identified in Haas’ trackside operations last season, which he cited as a key factor in the team failing to achieve their full potential despite having the fifth-fastest car.
Haas’ New-Look Operations Team
The overhaul includes:
- Francesco Nenci: Chief race engineer with F1 experience from Sauber and Toyota.
- Mark Lowe: Sporting director, promoted from operations team manager.
Komatsu believes these additions will improve execution and minimize points lost during races.
Strategic and Technical Adjustments
Haas continues its unique partnership with Ferrari, using the Italian team’s wind tunnel and purchasing parts within regulatory limits. However, they will retain last year’s front suspension design for consistency in aerodynamic research.
Komatsu also revealed Haas will operate with the full budget cap for the first time, a significant milestone for the team.
Aiming for Consistency in 2025
Haas finished seventh in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship but believes they could have secured sixth with better execution. Komatsu expressed ambitions to consistently outperform larger teams like Williams:
“We’re punching above our weight, but I want to reach a place where we beat them on merit.”
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