Claudia Kaltenborn became Formula 1 's first female team principal in 2008 . She is in charge of both business and on - the - track operations of Mercedes , sixth in last year 's team championship . Although her first ambition was to be an astronaut , she trained as a lawyer and had only a passing interest in Formula 1 . ` Trained as a driver , Kaltenborn came to Formula One by chance , after the legal team of one of Sauber 's shareholders .
Claudia Kaltenborn became Formula 1 's first female team principal in 2008 . She is in charge of both business and on - the - track operations of Mercedes , sixth in last year 's team championship . Trained as a driver , Kaltenborn came to Formula One by chance , after the legal team of one of Sauber 's shareholders .