Mercedes confirms departure of junior driver chief for Red Bull F1 role
ESPN F1 • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 27, 2026, 12:29 PM
Last updated Jul 27, 2026
Mercedes has announced the exit of Gwen Lagrue, the head of its junior driver programme, as he prepares to join the Red Bull Formula 1 team. This transition follows prior reports suggesting Lagrue's move was anticipated during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. Both Mercedes and Red Bull have not commented further on the details of the switch at this time.
- •Gwen Lagrue leaves Mercedes' junior driver programme.
- •He is expected to take a similar role at Red Bull.
- •The announcement follows speculation from the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.
- •Neither team has provided additional comments on the transition.
- 4:44 PMESPN F1 — Red Bull hire lead Mercedes talent scout
- 1:59 PMRacer — Red Bull confirms Lagrue as Red Bull Junior Program director from 2027
- 1:33 PMYahoo Sports — Antonelli discoverer Lagrue leaves Mercedes to join Red Bull in 2027
- 12:29 PMAutosport — Mercedes announces exit of young driver chief ahead of Red Bull F1 move
- 12:14 PMYahoo Sports — Mercedes confirms exit of young driver chief ahead of Red Bull F1 move
- 12:14 PMMotorsport.com — Mercedes confirms exit of young driver chief ahead of Red Bull F1 move
"Mercedes has confirmed the departure of Gwen Lagrue, its junior driver programme boss, ahead of the Frenchman's impending Red Bull switch. As previously reported by Autosport over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, long-standing junior driver guru Lagrue is understood to be joining the Red Bull Formula 1 team in a similar role. Neither party commented on the move until Monday afternoon, when ...Keep reading
"Mercedes has confirmed the departure of Gwen Lagrue, its former junior driver programme boss, ahead of the Frenchman's impending Red Bull switch. As previously reported by Motorsport.com over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, long-standing junior driver guru Lagrue is understood to be joining the Red Bull Formula 1 team in a similar role. Neither party commented on the move until Monday ...Keep reading
"The man who discovered championship leader Kimi Antonelli and other Formula One stars, Gwen Lagrue, is leaving his post as head of Mercedes' junior programme and will start in a similar position at Red Bull next year. "Thank you Gwen.
Sources
External links- ESPN F1Jul 27, 2026, 4:44 PMRed Bull hire lead Mercedes talent scout
Red Bull has confirmed the hire of Mercedes' lead talent scout, Gwen Lagrue, with the Frenchman set to take up his new role as the director of the Red Bull junior programme from the start of next year.
- RacerJul 27, 2026, 1:59 PMRed Bull confirms Lagrue as Red Bull Junior Program director from 2027
Red Bull has poached Mercedes' long-time driver development chief Gwen Lagrue to lead its own junior program following the departure of Helmut Marko.
- Yahoo SportsJul 27, 2026, 1:33 PMAntonelli discoverer Lagrue leaves Mercedes to join Red Bull in 2027
The man who discovered championship leader Kimi Antonelli and other Formula One stars, Gwen Lagrue, is leaving his post as head of Mercedes' junior programme and will start in a similar position at Red Bull next year. "Thank you Gwen.
- AutosportJul 27, 2026, 12:29 PMMercedes announces exit of young driver chief ahead of Red Bull F1 move
Mercedes has confirmed the departure of Gwen Lagrue, its junior driver programme boss, ahead of the Frenchman's impending Red Bull switch. As previously reported by Autosport over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, long-standing junior driver guru Lagrue is understood to be joining the Red Bull Formula 1 team in a similar role. Neither party commented on the move until Monday afternoon, when ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsJul 27, 2026, 12:14 PMMercedes confirms exit of young driver chief ahead of Red Bull F1 move
Mercedes has officially sent off driver academy head Gwen Lagrue, who is tipped to join Red Bull
- Motorsport.comJul 27, 2026, 12:14 PMMercedes confirms exit of young driver chief ahead of Red Bull F1 move
Mercedes has confirmed the departure of Gwen Lagrue, its former junior driver programme boss, ahead of the Frenchman's impending Red Bull switch. As previously reported by Motorsport.com over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, long-standing junior driver guru Lagrue is understood to be joining the Red Bull Formula 1 team in a similar role. Neither party commented on the move until Monday ...Keep reading
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