Hannah Schmitz

Hannah Schmitz
Schmitz in 2019
Born
Hannah McMillan

May 1985 (age 40)
England
CitizenshipBritish
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 as Head of Race Strategy for Formula One team Red Bull Racing. 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 2022 and 2023 Constructor's Championships and Max Verstappen's four consecutive Driver's Championships from 2021 to 2024.[1]

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.[2] At university, Schmitz was part of the Cambridge University Eco Racing (CUER) team, taking on the role of Mechanical Team Leader.[3] She led the CUER team in the World Solar Challenge in Australia.

Career

Following the completion of her studies, Schmitz began her career working for Red Bull Racing 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 then moved to the role of Senior Strategy Engineer in 2011, where she played a key role in Red Bull Racing's live strategy in all Grands Prix as an indispensable member of its team.[4] In 2021, Schmitz was promoted to Principal Strategy Engineer. From 2026, Schmitz was promoted to Head of Race Strategy, succeeding Will Courtenay, who departed Red Bull Racing to join McLaren.[5] As of 2026, she remains with Red Bull Racing.

Schmitz is known for her strategic decision making skills, communication, and ability to remain composed under high stress situations.[6][7] She is credited for her contributions to Max Verstappen's race win at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix,[8][9] Checo Perez's victory at the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix,[10][8][11] and Verstappen's victories at the 2022 Hungarian Grand Prix[12][13] and 2022 Dutch Grand Prix,[14][15][16] as well as the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix.[17][18]

Schmitz is one of only eleven women to have stood on the Formula One podium to accept the constructors' trophy.[19][20] She has been on the podium for the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2019 and the Qatar Grand Prix in 2025.[17]

Ahead of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, Schmitz and Laura Müller, Race Engineer for Haas driver Esteban Ocon, will have Turn 6 at the Albert Park Circuit dedicated to them.[6] They are the first women to have a corner dedicated to them at a race track, and the 'In Her Corner' initiative aims to recognize the contributions of women in motorsport.[21] The race also coincides with International Women's Day on March 8.[22][23]

Personal life

She is married to a German husband, Markus Schmitz,[24] with whom she shares two daughters (born in 2019 and 2021).[25] She attended Croydon High School, where she excelled at water polo.[26]

Schmitz has stated that her favourite racing memory is from the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix, where she and the team decided to pit Verstappen under the safety car, initially losing the lead to Lewis Hamilton before regaining the position and winning the race. It was also the first time she stood on the podium to receive the constructors' trophy.[27]

Awards

In 2022, Schmitz was awarded Female Engineer of the Year, an award created by McLaren Applied to recognize inspiring female pioneers in motorsport.[4][25] 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. ^ "Hannah Schmitz | LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Who is Hannah Schmitz? Get To Know Our Team". Youtube.com. 23 February 2026.
  6. ^ a b "Mueller and Schmitz become first women to have Albert Park corner named in their honour". FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  7. ^ Batchelor, Joe (4 December 2025). "Verstappen can race easy, knowing the strategy team has his back". Red Bull. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  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. ^ "Red Bull strategy chief Schmitz reveals how team masterminded Verstappen's comeback victory in Budapest | Formula 1®". www.formula1.com. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ "Verstappen wins dramatic Dutch GP as Russell and Leclerc complete podium after late Safety Car". formula1.com. 4 September 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  17. ^ a b "'Call me Chucky': Verstappen wins in Qatar to revel in McLaren's horror show". Business Day. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  18. ^ "How Red Bull nearly fell into the same trap as McLaren in Qatar GP". www.motorsport.com. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  19. ^ Motorsport, Females in (21 July 2021). "Meet the women to have stood on the Formula 1 podium | Working in F1". www.femalesinmotorsport.com. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  20. ^ "McLaren Racing's Louise McEwen on Building a Fan-First Brand On and Off the Track – Advertising Week". 18 June 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  21. ^ "Australian Grand Prix 'In Her Corner' Initiative to see Albert Park Circuit recognize women in STEM | Haas F1 Team". www.haasf1team.com. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  22. ^ "Mueller and Schmitz have corner named after them". www.formula1.com. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  23. ^ "F1 engineers honoured with corner at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit | Engineers Australia". www.engineersaustralia.org.au. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ "Hannah Schmitz". racingnews365.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  27. ^ Oracle Red Bull Racing (23 February 2026). Who is Hannah Schmitz? | Get To Know Our Team. Retrieved 1 March 2026 – via YouTube.
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