Why Haas thinks ground-breaking new F1 race engineer is perfect fit for Ocon

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.

The German, a self-confessed Michael Schumacher fan who studied mechanical engineering in Munich, has turn into F1’s first feminine race engineer in a transfer that exhibits F1 is altering, albeit slowly, to changing 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 benefit, 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 submit at RB; each highlighting the rising acceptance – and success – of girls in crucial technical positions.

Muller’s promotion particularly appears like a seminal second for feminine engineers and sends a loud message of what’s potential to youthful generations.

Komatsu mentioned: “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.

“However they’ve each acquired good potential and good dedication. So, we determined to advertise internally as a result of that sends a great message for everybody as properly.

“Reasonably than go for some huge names with expertise from the surface, promote someone [who] could not have sufficient expertise to begin off with, let’s say, however has potential with good work ethic, good communication.”

Requested by Autosport about Muller’s promotion and what persona traits she is going to convey to the group, the Haas boss mentioned she is the right match for driving on and matching Ocon’s ambition and dedication.

Komatsu defined: “She’s a decided character after which she’s very hard-working. She has an excellent work ethic.

“By way of wanting on the persona, Esteban is a fairly decided character as properly. So from that aspect, I feel they are going to be a driving power and their personalities match.

“When she sees an issue, she digs deep, and she or he does not cease on the first reply.

“You understand, some folks once they discover the primary reply they cease digging and so they say ‘oh, nice, I discovered the answer’ and so they transfer on. However no, she knowns 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 steerage and help, however together with her work ethic I feel she will progress fairly rapidly.”

Esteban Ocon, Haas VF-24

Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Pictures

Muller joined Haas in 2022 and has beforehand labored within the group’s simulator earlier than progressing to the function of efficiency engineer.

Komatsu says the underlying motive for any appointment within the group is how a person “suits into the group and maximises the efficiency and that Laura is the proper 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 could be very clear, very calm. 

“After I knew Esteban was coming – I knew in addition to technical aspect, the persona aspect is essential, particularly when you’re a race engineer. So I might see the Laura/Esteban mixture that might 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 throughout the Testing of Earlier Automobile programme final week in Jerez, and subsequent week will all attend the seat-fitting in Italy.