Red Bull Racing has appointed Mercedes' lead talent scout Gwen Lagrue as the director of its junior program, effective early 2027.
Lagrue will fill the role left vacant by former motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, who left the organization at the end of 2025.
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Key Hire for Red Bull
Lagrue led Mercedes' young driver initiative for over ten years, playing a key role in recruiting George Russell and Kimi Antonelli before their F1 debuts.
His arrival comes as Red Bull rebuilds its executive ranks after several high-profile departures over the past two years.
Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Lagrue's expertise, calling him one of the best talent developers in F1.
Mekies emphasized the strategic importance of the junior system to the team's vision and acknowledged Marko's foundational work over more than two decades.
“The Red Bull Junior Programme has always been a cornerstone of Red Bull's success, and having Gwen lead it soon reflects the importance we continue to place on developing the next generation of F1 talent,” Mekies said.
He noted that securing top leadership remains essential to maintaining high performance across all operations.
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Mekies also recognized Marko's contribution, saying the junior program became the benchmark in F1 because of his vision and commitment.
“As we continue to build the next chapter of Oracle Red Bull Racing, attracting leaders of Gwen's calibre is fundamental to achieving our ambitions,” Mekies added.
Lagrue expressed excitement about joining Red Bull, calling it an exciting new chapter after 11 years at Mercedes.
“The Red Bull Junior Programme is one of the most respected and successful driver development programmes in motorsport,” Lagrue said.
He aims to maintain the team's record of developing future champions and build on the program's legacy.
At Mercedes, deputy team principal Bradley Lord will oversee the restructuring of their junior setup alongside remaining staff after Lagrue's transition.
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Team principal Toto Wolff confirmed the team plans to adjust its internal organization collaboratively during the transition period.
