The Haas F1 Team made history by appointing Laura Mueller as the Race Engineer for Esteban Ocon, who joined the team this year after making the switch from Alpine. The American team has been undergoing significant structural changes since finishing last in the 2023 season, culminating in an impressive seventh place finish in 2024.
Mueller, who has been part of the Haas team since 2022, now steps into the crucial role of Race Engineer for Ocon. Here’s everything you need to know about Mueller and the pivotal responsibilities she will take on in this transformative phase for Haas.
1. Decade of Racing Experience
Laura Mueller has been in the world of racing since 2014. She started her internship with Phoenix Racing GmbH in German Supertouring Championship. In 2016, she then moved on to Josef Kaufmann Racing in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 also known as Formula Renault 2.0. After being an engineer for two years in the NEC and Eurocup, Formula Renault 2.0, Mueller, switched to Hero Motosport in Brazil Stockcar Championship. Her next calling was to enter international endurance racing and now she has been part of the world’s fastest motorsport, Formula 1, since 2022.
2. Role of Race Engineer
The race engineer serves as the driver’s strategist, therapist, and essential connection to the team. Laura Mueller’s role involves crafting strategies to ensure the car delivers peak performance throughout the race weekend. She translates complex technical data into simple, actionable insights for the driver. Beyond technical responsibilities, her role also includes conducting detailed post-race analyses.
During races, the race engineer acts as the driver’s eyes and ears, providing updates on rival teams’ strategies, tire management, and performance feedback. They are the brains behind the operation, ensuring the car performs optimally and keeping the driver calm under pressure.
3. Mueller right fit Haas
The Haas Team Principal, Ayao Komatsu, played a pivotal role in propelling the team from backmarkers to seventh place last year. Trusting his process, Haas is undergoing significant changes, with Laura Mueller being a key part of this transformation. Komatsu expressed full confidence in Mueller, who has been appointed as the Race Engineer for their lead driver, Esteban Ocon. Speaking to Formula1.com, he remarked, “She’s a pretty determined character… Personality-wise, Esteban is also highly driven. I think their personalities align well, which will drive success.”
Komatsu emphasized that promotions within the team are purely merit-based. He stated, “If you look at the number of female engineers in our office, it’s definitely higher than before. But I didn’t choose Laura because she’s female. Nationality, gender – none of that matters. What truly matters is the quality of work, the ability to fit into the team, and the capacity to maximize performance. I firmly believe this is the right choice.”
