Australian GP Corner to Be Named After Female F1 Engineers in Historic First

In a Formula 1 first, Turn 6 at the Albert Park Circuit will be renamed to honor two prominent female engineers, Red Bull's Hannah Schmitz and Haas's Laura Mueller. The 'In Her Corner' initiative, timed for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on International Women's Day, marks the first time a corner on the F1 calendar will be named after women, aiming to inspire future generations in STEM fields.

Why it matters:

This move represents a significant, visible step in recognizing the contributions of women in a sport where engineering roles have been predominantly male. By permanently etching their names onto the circuit, the initiative provides powerful role models and underscores the growing importance of diversity in Formula 1's technical and strategic battles, moving beyond symbolic gestures to lasting recognition.

The details:

• The Honorees: Hannah Schmitz is Red Bull Racing's Chief Strategy Engineer, a key architect behind many of Max Verstappen's race-winning and championship-deciding calls. Laura Mueller made history in 2025 by becoming the first full-time female race engineer on the grid, working with Esteban Ocon at Haas.
• The Initiative: The corner naming is part of the 'In Her Corner' program, a partnership between Engineers Australia and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, built on the principle of "if you can see it, you can be it."
• Historic Timing: The formal recognition will occur at the 2026 season opener on March 8, which coincides with International Women's Day, amplifying its symbolic message.
• Personal Impact: Mueller called the early-career honor a motivator for girls to pursue STEM, while Schmitz highlighted the importance of teacher support and the privilege of representing her team on the podium during critical championship moments.

What's next:

The renamed Turn 6 will become a permanent fixture on the F1 calendar, serving as an annual reminder of the initiative's goals during the Australian GP.

• The focus now shifts to whether this landmark recognition accelerates tangible pathways for more women into frontline engineering roles within F1 teams.
• Success will be measured by a sustained increase in female talent entering the paddock, inspired by seeing Schmitz and Mueller literally 'in the corner' at Albert Park.