Haas overhauls race team crews for 2025 with 'huge changes'
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Haas has undertaken sweeping internal changes to its race team structure ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season, signaling a bold new direction under team principal Ayao Komatsu.
Among the key announcements is the promotion of Laura Mueller to race engineer for Esteban Ocon, making her the first female race engineer in Formula 1 history.
Komatsu described the restructuring as a "huge change" for the American team, particularly at the trackside level, as it seeks to build on its seventh-place finish in last year's constructors' championship.
A New Look for the Trackside Team
While the factory-based technical team remains unchanged, Komatsu highlighted the need to overhaul trackside operations.
"What's been changed is the trackside team," he explained. "It's a huge change, but I felt that was one of the weakest areas last year. The more and more the car became competitive, that exposed it more."
Ex-Toyota, Sauber and Marussia engineer Francesco Nenci has joined Haas as chief race engineer, filling the role Komatsu himself held before becoming team principal in 2024.
In addition to Mueller's promotion, Ronan O'Hare will serve as rookie Oliver Bearman's race engineer.
Carine Cridelich will step into the newly created role of head of race strategy on March 1, coming from Racing Bulls, while Mark Lowe has been appointed sporting director following the departure of team manager Peter Crolla.
Lessons Learned from 2024
Reflecting on Haas's 2024 season, Komatsu pointed to specific examples where the team lost valuable points due to operational inefficiencies.
"We left too many points on the table from the trackside operations," he said. "So, we really needed to step up on that one."
One such incident occurred at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where Kevin Magnussen missed out on a potential points finish after being undercut during the first pit stops by then-Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu.
"Just so many times under pressure we didn't seem to function as well as we should," Komatsu acknowledged.
"But, again, it's not just about the people but in terms of the amount of training we can give etc."
Training for Better Preparedness
Haas recently completed its first Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) session in Jerez, where Ocon and Bearman had the chance to work with the revised trackside team.
Komatsu highlighted the importance of these sessions for improving operational readiness.
"It's so important," he said. "Before, we were just a race team. But now we have those [private tests in cars at least two years old], and also capabilities to simulate certain scenarios now.
"We have a lot more of that before the season starts. We will be better prepared."
Why Haas Promoted Internally
When asked about the decision to promote Mueller and O'Hare rather than hire external candidates, Komatsu explained the rationale behind prioritizing internal talent.
"It's just pros and cons," he said. "Because outside people have got long notice periods as well.
"It's just everything. If there is somebody where it's like, 'wow, this guy is a perfect fit and we should wait for 12 months or whatever' then it's fine.
"But it had to be clearly better than either Laura or Ronan. Because if the external candidate…I think in a year's time they can be almost the same or even better, then I'd rather invest internally."
With a restructured team and fresh leadership in key areas, Haas aims to address its operational weaknesses and capitalize on its improved competitiveness.
Komatsu's commitment to preparing the team for high-pressure scenarios reflects a clear intent to climb the grid in 2025.
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