Sabine Kehm
Sabine Kehm joined Michael Schumacher’s team in 1999 to work as his PR representative. She remains working for the Schumacher family and is involved in the flourishing career of Michael’s son, Mick.
Sabine began her career as a sports journalist, working for Die Weit newspaper and then the magazine, Sports. She went on to become sports editor of Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper. She was then recruited by Michael’s manager, Willi Weber to be Michael’s Press Officer and Media Advisor.
She worked alongside Michael through his career at Ferrari and again on his return to Formula One with Mercedes. Since his retirement, Sabine has been his manager and continues to represent him and his family, assiduously guarding Michael’s privacy since his terrible skiing accident.
Joining the Schumacher team for the 2000 season, Sabine crossed from journalist to the other side of paddock as Michael’s Press Officer/PR representative. As well as coordinating his press activity, Sabine worked behind the scenes managing relations with the team communications staff and helping ensure the Grand Prix weekends ran smoothly. As with all PR professionals, they are never the story themselves, but Sabine did give an interview to the “Beyond The Grid” podcast in 2019, where she revealed what Michael Schumacher was like to work for.
The private Schumacher was very different from his public persona. Sabine tells of a warm, kind, easy going person who looked after his staff. The persona he adopted as “the racing driver” kept the world at a distance. He definitely had a “race face” that he adopted at the track.
From 2000 to Michael’s first retirement in 2006, she worked every Grand Prix at Michael’s side. When Michael called her in 2009 about returning with Mercedes, he asked her to draw up a list of pros and cons. She told him she could tell from his voice that he had already decided!
The Mercedes period was a disappointment and Sabine says that the resources were not there for the team. Although he felt that the team was improving towards the end of his time at Mercedes, the time away from his family was not worth the results. Sabine does say, however, that he enjoyed his time working with Mercedes very much. He really enjoyed the driving and working with the mechanics and engineers.
As we know, sadly Michael didn’t get to enjoy his retirement for long before the skiing accident that has left him with life changing injuries. Sabine has continued to guard Michael’s privacy and to represent both Michael and his family in the press. She is now working with Mick Schumacher, his son, who is about to start his own Formula One career.
Britta Roeske
Like Sabine Kehm, Britta Roeske is the PR representative of a German multiple Formula One world champion, Sebastien Vettel. She is often seen at his side in “the pen” where drivers give interviews.
Like Sabine, she also is in the unusual position of being employed directly by Sebastian, rather than as an employee of the team. It is normally the team PR representatives who are assigned to drivers for this purpose.
Britta comes from Essen in Germany. After graduating in Economics, Modern Languages and Journalism, Britta moved to France to work for Renault in the communications department. After she worked at an event in Germany, Flavio Briatore invited her to join the Renault F1 team at Enstone.
She went on to join the Red Bull team where she started working with Sebastian Vettel.
When Sebastian moved to Ferrari, he took her with him and indeed, has confirmed that she has joined him at Aston Martin.
Britta’s main duties are to arrange all of his media appearances, record his interviews (that’s why they stand next to their drivers in the pen) and generally smooth his way through the race weekend. She liaises with the team Communications Manager.
As Vettel’s employee, rather than a team member, Britta acts as a manager when necessary, working to maintain his brand image. She is his sounding board when he’s in need of encouragement and helps him navigate the highs and lows of Formula One. She and Sebastian have worked together for over a decade. She’s clearly an integral part of Sebastian’s team.
Mia Djacic & Britta Roeske - Ferrari Press Officers.
She does not come from a motorsport background. In fact, Britta said in an interview that her ambition had been to work for Airbus. She loves the Formula One world, however as it gives her the opportunity to travel to different countries and cultures.
Britta Roeske with her Manga Standee at Japanese GP. Photo by Kym Illman.
She loves the variety of the work and the human/technical interaction. Britta has been involved in every aspect of driver performance, helping Sebastian get the most out of his races. She is clearly a staff member he does not want to do without and she no doubt knows him incredibly well. She not only works at the Grand Prix but is always busy preparing for each event.
Both Sabine and Britta have played an integral part in the success of their drivers. Like so much of Formula One, the part we see is the tip of the iceberg. The work that goes on behind the scenes takes a great many people doing a variety of different roles, to make it all happen out there on the track. Getting this support right is part of becoming a successful driver. Sabine and Britta have helped two of the most successful drivers in Formula One history.
By Clare Topic
Videos
Sabine Kehm
Britta Roeske
Others
Comments
Authorize to comment