Hannah Schmitz

Hannah Schmitz
Schmitz in 2019
BornMay 1985
England
NationalityBritish
CitizenshipBritish
EducationCroydon High School
Alma materUniversity of Cambridge
OccupationEngineer
EmployerOracle Red Bull Racing
Known forFormula One engineer

Hannah Schmitz (née McMillan; born May 1985) is a British engineer, currently working for Austrian Formula One team Red Bull Racing as Principal Strategy Engineer. She is widely regarded as one of the most successful female figures in the sport of Formula One, heralded as key in Red Bull's 2021, 2022, and 2023 title charges.[1]

Personal life

She is married to a German husband, Markus Schmitz,[2] with whom she shares two daughters (born in 2019 and 2021).[3]

Education

In 2009, Schmitz obtained a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cambridge, with a focus on optimization theory, regression analysis, and statistical models.[4] At university, Schmitz was part of the Cambridge University Eco Racing (CUER) team, taking on the role of Mechanical Team Leader.[5] She led the CUER team in the World Solar Challenge in Australia.

She attended Croydon High School, where she excelled at water polo.[6]

Career

Following the completion of her studies, Schmitz began her career working for Red Bull in November 2009, as a Modelling and Strategy Engineer, where she mainly researched and developed new simulation techniques, and maintained simulation tools for analysis, producing regular testing reports on past performances and future strategies. She soon moved to the role of Senior Strategy Engineer in 2011,[7] where she played a key role in Red Bull Racing's live strategy in all Grands Prix as an indispensable member of its team. In 2021, Schmitz was promoted to Principal Strategy Engineer. As of 2024, she remains with Red Bull Racing.

Formula One highlights

Schmitz is credited for Red Bull's following successes in Formula One:

  • 2019 Brazilian GP – In this race, Schmitz made the strategic decision to pit Max Verstappen three times, knowing that the third pit stop would cause the Dutchman to lose the lead of the race and fall behind Lewis Hamilton.[5] Partly because of this move, Verstappen won the race. It was a highlight in her career since she just returned from maternity leave, and this result proved she was still capable of achieving wins with the team.[8][9]
  • 2022 Monaco GP – The pit stop strategy under Schmitz's leadership saw Sergio Pérez win the race, with Verstappen third on the podium.[10] Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko acknowledged that the team's final result was mainly due to Schmitz.[8][11]
  • 2022 Hungarian GP – Schmitz's strategy without using the hard tire allowed Verstappen to win the race from 10th through undercuts, with Perez finishing in fifth.[12]
  • 2022 Dutch GP – Schmitz played a key role in Verstappen's victory. At the pit stops at Zandvoort, she made the difference to the team by making the right decisions at the exact right moments.[13] The success was overshadowed by a smear campaign directed at Schmitz.[14] She was portrayed as the mastermind behind the chaos that ensued late in the race, when Yuki Tsunoda and Valtteri Bottas stopped and virtually brought about a full-blown safety car situation.[15]

Awards

In 2022, Schmitz was awarded Female Engineer of the Year, an award created by McLaren Applied to recognize inspiring female pioneers in motorsport.[7][3] Fellow nominees included Krystina Emmanouilides and Charlotte Phelps.

References

  1. ^ Coleman, Madeline. "'The linchpin': How F1 strategy expert Hannah Schmitz helps keep Red Bull on top". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 24 June 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  2. ^ Varad, Joshi (8 September 2022). "Hannah Schmitz Husband : Who is Red Bull Racing F1's head of strategy married to?". firstsportz.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Meet Hannah Schmitz - McLaren Applied Female Engineer of the Year Award winner". McLarenApplied.com. Archived from the original on 26 March 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Hannah Schmitz | LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Alumni stories: Meet Hannah Schmitz – the F1 race strategist with nerves of steel". University of Cambridge. 22 May 2023. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Hannah Schmitz". racingnews365.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  7. ^ a b Chang, Yewon (4 November 2023). "Hannah Schmitz: Red Bull's Star Strategist on Balance, Fame, and Staying True to Yourself". Females in Motorsport. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  8. ^ a b Bloemhof, Lennart (31 July 2022). "In the race for the F1 world title, master strategist Hannah Schmitz is crucial". deVolkskrant.nl. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  9. ^ Batchelor, Joe (31 July 2022). "Verstappen and Pérez race easy knowing the strategy team have their back". redbull.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  10. ^ Yadav, Khyati (31 May 2022). "Who Is Hannah Schmitz- the Mastermind Behind Red Bull F1 Glory Catalysing Ferrari Doom at Monaco?". EssentiallySports.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Marko credits Perez win to quick-thinking Red Bull team member". RacingNews365.com. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  12. ^ "'She's very good' - Meet Hannah Schmitz, the brains behind Verstappen's Hungary win". news24.com. 2 August 2022. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  13. ^ Jason Penders, Ruben (5 September 2022). "HANNAH SCHMITZ: WHO IS THIS MASTER STRATEGIST OF RED BULL RACING?". autorai.nl. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  14. ^ McAvoy, Callum (6 September 2022). "Red Bull strategist receives hateful abuse after cheating accusations at Dutch Grand Prix". metro.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  15. ^ "Verstappen wins dramatic Dutch GP as Russell and Leclerc complete podium after late Safety Car". formula1.com. 4 September 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2024.