For the first time in Formula 1 (F1) history, a circuit corner will bear women's names. The Australian Grand Prix will rename Turn 6 at Melbourne's Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit to mark International Women's Day on March 8.
The corner honours Laura K. Müller, who became F1's first full-time female race engineer when Haas appointed her ahead of the 2025 season, and Hannah Schmitz, head of race strategy at Oracle Red Bull Racing.
The initiative, named 'In Her Corner', was created by Sydney-based agency Bastion and developed with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. In partnership with Engineers Australia, the activation includes a dedicated grandstand and an Innovation Hub at Turn 6, aimed at inspiring students and fans to take on engineering careers.
The campaign is part of a three-year partnership between Bastion and Engineers Australia under the 'Making Life Happen' platform.
“Engineering is one of the most important professions shaping our future, yet too many young women do not see it as a path open to them. In Her Corner puts women engineers in the spotlight at one of the most visible and celebrated engineering arenas in the world," said Richard Riboni, general manager, brand and marketing, Engineers Australia. He added that the initiative reflects Engineers Australia's push to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
The gender gap in Australia's engineering sector is significant. Women make up only 14% of the engineering workforce, according to Engineers Australia's 2024 submission to Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review. Only 38% of women who qualify as engineers go on to work in the profession, and just 8% of female engineering graduates enter the field.
F1 itself is not far ahead. Women make up over a third (38%) of the sport's overall workforce, according to F1's Gender Pay Gap Report 2025. Meanwhile, Alpine put its F1 team workforce at around only 12% as recently as 2022.
Jamie Fletcher, art director, Bastion said: “From the moment we started to bring this idea to life, the momentum has kept building. And then having incredible talent like Laura and Hannah come on board has pushed that excitement and motivation up a notch.”
“It is not often you have the opportunity to create something that genuinely shifts culture. In Her Corner is more than a naming rights moment. It is a statement for change," added Simon Langley, chief creative officer, Bastion.
The Australian Grand Prix is one of the sport's most-attended events. The 2025 edition drew a record 465,498 fans across four days.
Source: Campaign Asia-Pacific
