About fast cars, strategy, champagne and Hannah Schmitz

Take a good look at the image that opens this post. I know, it seems photoshopped, but that’s not the point, look again. What do you see there that stands out from the common place? What catches your attention?

The photo in question, which under no circumstances suffered any type of digital alteration, is from the podium of the Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix (technically “Heineken Brazilian Grand Prix 2019”) where the top three finishers were respectively Max Verstappen for Red Bull, Pierre Gasly for Toro Rosso and Carlos Sainz for McLaren (long story).

As in every podium, an engineer from the team of the first place goes to the podium representing the team in the constructors’ championship, if you didn’t know, you know now.

Here the podium in video with the insertion via CG of Hamilton in the celebration:

In this particular podium, who was representing Red Bull was Hannah Schmitz, formerly known as Hannah Macmillan*, senior strategy engineer of the team.

Here comes the curiosity and motor (heh) of the existence of this post: In a “normalized” situation of today, Hannah would be there to preach that women can indeed reach that position (true) in a historically male sport (true) and also historically hostile to female presence (I have no proof, but I believe). In a marketing action she would be there more to attract attention and “cause” than anything else.

But Hannah? No, Hannah isn’t. She is there because that’s her place. Simple as that.

Even better: Saying that she is there only because it is her rightful place would be a demerit, according to Christian Horner (who by the way is the Team Principal) she was the responsible for Max’s victory in this GP . Not a small thing.

Some other interesting information: – She has been at Red Bull Racing for 10 years and 1 month :) – She recently returned from maternity leave. – She participated in this Red Bull campaign still under the name “Macmillan”:

(got the * at the beginning of the text?)

And finally, but not least important, in some way she is a third-degree connection of mine on LinkedIn *thinking emoji*

Congratulations, Hannah. For showing that a woman’s place is wherever she wants. And for taking Max to the top spot on the podium :)