Overview
- Mercedes confirmed late Monday, July 27, that Gwen Lagrue will leave the Silver Arrows and Red Bull announced his signing less than an hour later.
- Red Bull said Lagrue will start as director of the Red Bull Junior Programme in 2027 and will report directly to team principal Laurent Mekies.
- Lagrue spent 11 years running Mercedes’ junior driver operation and is credited with identifying and developing drivers such as George Russell, Esteban Ocon and Kimi Antonelli.
- Mercedes posted a public thank-you and signalled internal continuity plans for its academy after discussions between Toto Wolff and Lagrue were reported earlier in July.
- Red Bull frames the hire as central to rebuilding and evolving its talent pipeline and the move could shift how top junior prospects are scouted and steered toward F1 seats.