Overview
- Multiple outlets reported Sunday that Gwen Lagrue is leaving Mercedes to take charge of Red Bull’s driver development programme, though neither team nor Lagrue has issued formal confirmation.
- Mercedes and Red Bull are negotiating terms for Lagrue’s release from his contract and no start date has been agreed, with Toto Wolff saying discussions are ongoing and no decision has been reached.
- Lagrue has led Mercedes’ junior programme since 2016 and is credited with signing and guiding drivers such as George Russell and Kimi Antonelli through the junior ranks into Formula 1.
- Mercedes says the junior programme is a team effort of seven to nine staff and is planning internal role changes, with deputy team principal Bradley Lord mentioned as taking on more responsibility if Lagrue departs.
- If completed, the transfer could reshape the talent race in F1 by strengthening Red Bull’s scouting and development work and may be delayed by standard contractual measures like gardening leave.