Red Bull hires Gwen Lagrue for 2027 junior role

Red Bull has appointed Gwen Lagrue to lead its junior programme from 2027, with Mercedes confirming his exit after his long-running driver scouting role.

Red Bull has appointed Gwen Lagrue as director of its junior programme for the 2027 season, as confirmed by Formula1.com. BBC Sport reported that Lagrue is leaving Mercedes to join Red Bull after serving as a driver scout, and added that he was involved in identifying Kimi Antonelli.

Autosport and Motorsport.com both reported that the move had been flagged over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend before Mercedes confirmed Lagrue’s departure and Red Bull announced the appointment. The switch gives Red Bull, the Austrian constructor founded in 2005, a new head for its young-driver structure ahead of 2027; the team has won 130 Grands Prix and six constructors’ titles. Lagrue arrives from Mercedes, which has raced across 19 seasons from 1954 to 2026 and has recorded 138 wins and eight titles.