Red Bull has confirmed the appointment of Gwen Lagrue, the Mercedes driver scout credited with discovering Kimi Antonelli, to lead its young driver program. Lagrue, a Frenchman, is set to join Red Bull in 2027, according to a statement released Monday.
His arrival is seen as a replacement for Helmut Marko, who retired from his role as Red Bull's motorsport adviser at the end of last year. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies stated that Lagrue is "one of the very best talent developers in F1" and that his expertise will be crucial for the program.
"The Red Bull Junior Programme has always been a cornerstone of Red Bull's success, and having Gwen lead it soon reflects the importance we continue to place on developing the next generation of F1 talent," Mekies said. He also acknowledged Marko's "extraordinary contribution over more than two decades creating and leading the junior programme."
Lagrue expressed that after 11 years at Mercedes, he felt it was the right time for a new challenge. "The Red Bull Junior Programme is one of the most respected and successful driver development programmes in motorsport," he stated. "It has produced some of the greatest talents F1 has ever seen, and it is a real honour to have the opportunity to lead such a talented group of people and help shape its next chapter."
The Red Bull junior program has previously nurtured talents such as four-time champion Sebastian Vettel and eight-time winner Daniel Ricciardo. Current Williams drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz also came through the program.
This move follows an agreement between Mercedes and Red Bull that released Lagrue from his contract with the Formula 1 team. At Mercedes, Lagrue's responsibilities will be absorbed through a reshuffling of their existing young driver program, which has been described as highly effective.
Notable successes during Lagrue's tenure at Mercedes include supporting George Russell from his junior career to his F1 debut and current position. The team also signed Kimi Antonelli at age 11, mentoring him through an accelerated program that saw him replace Lewis Hamilton at the start of 2025. Antonelli, 19, is currently dominating his second season in F1, leading the championship.
Other drivers who have benefited from Mercedes' young driver program under Lagrue include Frenchman Esteban Ocon and current F1 reserve driver Frederik Vesti.