Red Bull hires Mercedes junior team chief Lagrue
Red Bull has appointed Gwen Lagrue, long-time head of Mercedes junior programme, as Director of the Red Bull Junior Programme from the 2027 season. He replaces Helmut Marko who departed at the end of 2025 and will report to team principal Laurent Mekies.
Red Bull strengthens driver development
Red Bull has appointed Gwen Lagrue as Director of the Red Bull Junior Programme for the 2027 season.[1] Lagrue spent more than a decade at Mercedes heading the team's young driver programme.[2] He will report to team principal and CEO Laurent Mekies.[2]
The move fills the role left by Helmut Marko, who retired at the end of 2025.[1] Lagrue previously contributed to the recruitment of drivers including Kimi Antonelli and George Russell during his time at Mercedes.[3]
Context for 2026 and beyond
The appointment comes as teams prepare driver pipelines ahead of the 2026 regulations cycle. Red Bull confirmed the hire in late July 2026.[1]
Related reading
- [1]Red Bull hire Lagrue from Mercedes to lead Junior Programme in 2027 (formula1). Accessed 2026-08-07.
- [2]Red Bull poaches Mercedes F1 junior driver chief as Helmut Marko successor (motorsport). Accessed 2026-08-07.
- [3]Red Bull hire top Mercedes scout responsible for signing Kimi Antonelli and George Russell (espn). Accessed 2026-08-07.