Red Bull chief strategist Hannah Schmitz delves into what it’s like working with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
Follow Us
Hannah Schmitz
Strategy is always one of the key aspects of a Formula 1 season, and it can often be make or break. This season is not any different, and it has played a major part in the fortunes of the two frontrunners, Ferrari and Red Bull. While Red Bull seem to have it together, for the most part, Ferrari have often struggled on this front.
There are many examples of this, but Monaco and Hungary are chief among them. In Monaco, their choice with the pit stops meant that first Charles Leclerc lost his lead, and then later, with another (necessary) stop, lost out on a third place. In Hungary, their choice to start with mediums, and to later switch to hard tyres with Leclerc meant after starting 2 and 3, the Ferrari duo finished 4 and 6.
In the same race, Max Verstappen had started 10th but eventually won the race. This was helped not only by the worse performance and choices of Ferrari but also by a masterclass from Hannah Schmitz, the chief strategist at Red Bull, as the team made a risky strategy call with the tyres. Recently, Hannah Schmitz discussed what working at Red Bull is like.
Also Read: ‘Hire Hannah Schmitz,’ Ferrari fans propose interesting solution for Ferrari’s strategic blunders
Hannah Schmitz: Red Bull duo are very ‘engaged’ in the strategic process
In Red Bull’s ‘Beyond the Ordinary’ podcast, Hannah Schmitz talked about working at Red Bull, and how the outfit is operated, among other things, such as how it was like working with two drivers – Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen. She said: “They’re definitely both very interested in understanding the strategy and the plans you’re putting forward.”
She added that they are very ‘engaged’ in the process: “They’re also really interested in all the pace analysis and everything that’s going on, and they ask a lot of questions, so they’re definitely engaged. I would say though, I think I’ve never worked with a bad driver, or one that’s not interested because, at the end of the day, the strategy can have a lot of impact on the race.”
Schmitz and the strategy department has certainly been a very big part of the team’s success this year, and they kept it together, while their rival, Ferrari have often faltered. It would not be too off the mark to say that apart from the reliability problems (both have experienced them) strategy has been the large difference between the two teams.
Last year’s Belgian Grand Prix had barely been a Grand Prix, with heavy rain conditions. This year, fans would be excited to see the drivers racing on the much-loved track, which might be in danger of disappearing from the calendar next year as well.
Also Read: Hannah Schmitz gives out a Red Bull masterclass that got Max Verstappen a win in Hungary
Also Read: “20 seconds can feel like a lifetime,” Red Bull’s Chief Strategist opines on intense F1 pressure
Stay Updated!
Aniket Tripathi
(1002 Articles Published)