Women in Formula 1 Engineering: The Historic Arrival of Laura Müller

On this International Women’s Day, we recognize the resilience and determination of women in motorsport. Women have fought to carve out their place in an industry that has historically resisted their presence. Despite facing obstacles, exclusion, and even hostility, women have always been part of motorsport - competing on track, working behind the scenes, innovating, and proving their worth. We belong here. We have always been here, and we always will be. Today, we celebrate the engineers who are shaping the future of F1.

The world of Formula 1 has long been seen as a male-dominated arena, not just on the track but also behind the scenes, where engineers play a critical role in shaping race strategy and performance. Lately, the push for diversity and inclusion has started to pay off, giving more visibility to the incredible women breaking barriers in the sport. From Hannah Schmitz, named Female Engineer of the Year in 2022 by McLaren Applied, to Laura Müller making history as F1’s first female race engineer, women in engineering roles are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

Women Leading the Way in Formula 1 Engineering

The presence of women in F1 engineering has grown over the years, with many now holding key technical and strategic roles across teams. Hannah Schmitz has become one of the most well-known figures in race strategy at Red Bull Racing. Alongside her, women like Ruth Buscombe, Amelia Lewis, Bernie Collins, Krystina Emmanouilides, and Charlotte Phelps have taken on key roles in race strategy, aerodynamics, performance engineering, and many more across teams like Red Bull, McLaren, Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, Sauber, and Mercedes.

This growing presence isn’t just limited to a few people - women from all areas of F1 engineering are making a real impact. From data analysts to performance engineers, more and more women are stepping into technical roles, proving that motorsport isn’t just for men, but for anyone with the passion and talent to shine.

The Rise of Laura Müller: A Historic Milestone

Laura Müller’s journey is one of hard work, talent, and determination. After studying automotive engineering in Munich, the German engineer began her motorsport career in 2014 as a data and driver analytics intern at Phoenix Racing. Since then, she’s held various engineering roles in categories like LMP3, LMP2, and GT3, before making the leap to Formula 1 with Haas, where she took on the position of performance engineer. Over the years, she has climbed the ranks in a field where women have been underrepresented, ultimately securing one of the most prestigious positions in F1 engineering: race engineer.

A race engineer plays a key role, being the main link between the driver and the team during a race weekend. It's a big responsibility that needs technical expertise, quick thinking, and the ability to communicate clearly with drivers when the pressure is on - so we will hear her on the radio. Laura Müller has worked hard to earn this spot at Haas, where she now serves as Esteban Ocon’s race engineer. By doing so, she not only takes on an important role but also marks a shift in Formula 1, with teams starting to see the value of promoting women to leadership positions in engineering.

Credits: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Her promotion aligns with broader efforts within Formula 1 to increase diversity and inclusion. Initiatives like Girls on Track aim to encourage young women to consider careers in motorsport, while organizations like the FIA’s Women in Motorsport Commission continue to advocate for gender equality across all levels of the sport.

Job’s not done yet

Although progress has been made, there's still a long way to go. The gender disparity within Formula 1 engineering teams remains clear. In 2023, women made up only 13% of Mercedes' motorsport and technical workforce, 6% at Red Bull, and 7% at McLaren. While these numbers are still low, they reflect the ongoing efforts to increase female representation in technical and engineering roles but they also show just how much more needs to be done to create a more balanced and inclusive environment in the sport.

Laura Müller's appointment at Haas as race engineer is proof that change is happening. We’re excited to see how Laura performs in her new role and look forward to hearing more from her on the radio. Her journey is sure to inspire many, and we can't wait to see where it takes her in Formula 1.