Junior Driver Guru Incoming At RedBull...

On Monday night, both Mercedes and RBR made announcements confirming Lagrue's move to Red Bull.

After spending 11 years with the German brand, where he managed the development of current F1 drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, Lagrue will assume the leading role in Red Bull’s junior system starting next year.

Dr. Marko was well-known for leading the Red Bull Junior Program before leaving late last year.

Lagrue’s new position is seen as a crucial component of the leadership framework at RBR, with the newcomer set to report directly to CEO and team principal Laurent Mekies.

“Gwen is among the top talent developers in F1, and I have personally witnessed the expertise, leadership, and passion he brings to nurturing young drivers,” said Mekies.

“The Red Bull Junior Program has consistently been a fundamental part of Red Bull’s achievements, and having Gwen soon lead it underscores the importance we continue to place on cultivating the next generation of F1 talent.

“Today, we want to once again acknowledge the remarkable contribution Helmut Marko has made over more than twenty years in creating and leading the Junior Program.

“Thanks to his vision, dedication, and talent for identifying and nurturing exceptional individuals, the Junior Program has set the standard in F1, and he deserves significant recognition for this achievement.

“As we continue to develop the next phase of Oracle Red Bull Racing, attracting leaders of Gwen’s caliber is essential to reaching our goals.

"We’re enhancing our high-performance organization with exceptional individuals across all areas of the business, and Gwen is a crucial addition to that journey."

"Together, we will build on an incredibly strong foundation while continuing to evolve the program for the future." Lagrue added: "Joining Oracle Red Bull Racing marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for me. After 11 unforgettable years at Mercedes, I felt this was the right moment to embrace a new challenge and continue growing both personally and professionally. The Red Bull Junior Program is one of the most respected and successful driver development programs in motorsport."

“It has produced some of the finest talents F1 has ever witnessed, and it's truly an honor to have the chance to lead such a skilled group and contribute to its future direction.

“I’m eager to collaborate closely with Laurent and the entire team, and I am very grateful for this opportunity.

“Together, we have an excellent foundation to build on the program’s impressive legacy, continue to adapt it for the future, and identify, develop, and prepare the next generation of F1 race winners and world champions, following a model Oracle Red Bull Racing has successfully implemented over the past 20 years.”

Mercedes honored its departing team member by comparing his contributions to the original Silver Arrows junior team that helped bring Michael Schumacher into the F1 spotlight.

“Thank you, Gwen. It’s been a wonderful journey together,” stated a message from the team.

“Together, we’ve nurtured many young drivers, including our current F1 drivers George and Kimi, and you’ve made an outstanding contribution. We have established a true successor to the original Mercedes-Benz junior team, and you leave behind a talented group to continue this work. Professional relationships may end, but we will always remain friends, sharing the same mindset. We wish you success in your next endeavor.”