HANNAH SCHMITZ Strategy Call Gives Verstappen Qatar Win as McLaren Stumbles

January 1, 1990

• Red Bull strategy chief HANNAH SCHMITZ made the race-winning call to pit Verstappen under the Safety Car at Qatar, even when her own colleagues questioned the decision after seeing McLaren stay out. Her confidence in the move – which saved 26 seconds of race time – proved decisive as Verstappen stormed from behind to claim victory.
• SCHMITZ revealed that when McLaren opted not to pit, Red Bull team members double-checked her strategy call, asking “Are you sure?” But she stuck to her guns, knowing the mathematical advantage of getting a mandatory stop done under Safety Car conditions. The move exemplifies the split-second strategic thinking that separates top-tier race engineers from the pack.
• The strategy masterstroke exposed McLaren’s internal challenges, as SCHMITZ noted they’re in a “very difficult situation” trying to treat their drivers fairly rather than maximizing winning opportunities. While McLaren hoped their pace advantage would overcome the strategic deficit, they learned the hard way that track position often trumps raw speed in modern F1.

formula 1, formula 1 qatar grand prix, oracle red bull racing, safety car strategy