After eleven years at Mercedes, renowned driver development expert Gwen Lagrue has officially joined Red Bull as its Formula 1 junior programme director.
Red Bull confirmed Lagrue’s arrival and named him director of the Red Bull junior programme, where he will report directly to team principal and CEO Laurent Mekies.
Lagrue fills the significant void left by long-time driver advisor Helmut Marko, who retired from his role at the end of last year after more than two decades leading the programme.
Mercedes confirmed Lagrue’s departure via its social media channels, paying tribute to his substantial contribution to the team’s driver development efforts over the years.
“Thank you Gwen. It’s been a great ride together,” Mercedes wrote in its farewell message, highlighting the many young drivers developed under his guidance.
Mercedes specifically referenced current F1 drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as products of the programme Lagrue helped shape during his time with the Silver Arrows.
“We have built a true successor to the original Mercedes-Benz junior team, and you leave in place a talented group to carry on this work,” Mercedes added in their tribute post.
Mekies was quick to praise Lagrue’s credentials, describing him as one of the finest talent developers working in Formula 1 today.
“Gwen is one of the very best talent developers in F1 and I know first-hand the expertise, leadership and passion he brings to developing young drivers,” said Mekies.
Mekies also took the opportunity to pay tribute to Marko, crediting him with turning the Red Bull junior programme into the benchmark operation it is considered across the paddock today.
“The Junior Programme has become the benchmark in F1 because of his vision, commitment and ability to identify and develop exceptional talents and he deserves enormous credit for that,” Mekies said.
Lagrue himself expressed genuine excitement at taking on the role, framing the move as both a professional and personal opportunity for growth after a memorable chapter at Mercedes.
“Joining Oracle Red Bull Racing marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for me,” Lagrue said, noting that after eleven years he felt the moment was right to seek a fresh challenge.
Among Lagrue’s most notable achievements at Mercedes was identifying Kimi Antonelli in karting at just eleven years old, fast-tracking him through the single-seater ranks to an F1 debut at eighteen.
Antonelli has since gone on to deliver title-winning form in his sophomore season, further cementing Lagrue’s reputation as one of the sharpest eyes for talent in the sport.
Esteban Ocon and George Russell are also among the drivers who reached Formula 1 through the Mercedes junior pathway during Lagrue’s tenure with the team.
Red Bull’s junior programme has historically been one of the most productive pipelines in motorsport, producing a string of world champions across multiple decades of competition.