Hannah Schmitz

Hannah Schmitz (née McMillan, born in 1985) is a British mechanical engineer who studied at the University of Cambridge, and is currently working for Red Bull Racing as “Principal Strategy Engineer”. She is widely regarded as one of the best race strategists in F1.

Schmitz, who joined Red Bull Racing back in 2009, is now as chief strategist on the pit wall, instrumental in the team’s success. She was asked to give us her take on Red Bull’s 2023 dominating performances: “This year’s obviously incredible. But I’ve also enjoyed all the years, all the seasons that I’ve worked here.”

She continues: “For a strategist, even when you’re not the team that’s always winning, it’s still very interesting. We’ve still always had the opportunity each season to win races, and sometimes being the underdog is still quite an exciting and different way of thinking.”

Does she have sympathy for rivals when they get it wrong? “Definitely,” she says. “I think it’s very easy for people to comment on strategy. People don’t understand how much is going on behind the scenes, and how it’s not always as clear-cut as it might appear.”  

A bright and humble person, Hannah Schmitz (here-below on the podium in Brazil in 2019 with Max Verstappen, Pierre Gasly and Lewis Hamilton), is very much appreciated in the Formula One paddock.