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Red Bull Snags Mercedes Talent Scout Lagrue for Junior Programme
After eleven years at Mercedes, top talent scout Gwen Lagrue is moving to Red Bull, where he will head the prestigious junior programme from 2027.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-07-27T12:48:10.000Z - 3 min read
Red Bull has officially confirmed the long-awaited arrival of Gwen Lagrue. The experienced French talent scout, previously a key figure in Mercedes' talent programme, will become the new director of the Red Bull Junior Programme starting in 2027. This strategic decision follows earlier rumors and represents a significant move in the F1 paddock.
Lagrue thus follows in the footsteps of Helmut Marko, who retired late last year after leading Red Bull's junior programme for more than two decades. His role is crucial; the programme is renowned as a cornerstone of Red Bull's success, providing an uninterrupted pipeline of talent to the pinnacle of motorsport.
At Mercedes, Lagrue built an impressive track record. He played an essential role in discovering and developing drivers such as George Russell, Esteban Ocon, and Frederik Vesti. His most recent success story is undoubtedly Kimi Antonelli, who in his second F1 season is already leading the championship with five victories and six pole positions in ten Grands Prix.
The Red Bull Junior Programme itself boasts a rich history of successful drivers. Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and multiple race winner Daniel Ricciardo are prime examples. In addition, current Williams driver Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz entered Formula 1 through this programme, with Albon even receiving personal support from Lagrue for his return after an earlier drop.
Laurent Mekies, team principal of Red Bull, expressed his enthusiasm about the appointment in a statement. He described Lagrue as "one of the very best talent developers in F1" and praised his expertise and passion. Mekies also thanked Marko for his "extraordinary contribution" and his ability to identify exceptional talents.
Lagrue himself stated that after eleven memorable years at Mercedes, he was ready for a new challenge. He recognized the Red Bull Junior Programme as "one of the most respected and successful programmes in motorsport" and considers it an honor to help shape the next generation of champions, building on the legacy of the past twenty years.
The move was made possible through an agreement between Mercedes and Red Bull, releasing Lagrue from his current contract as driver development advisor at Mercedes. At Mercedes, his role will be filled through an internal reshuffle, with Bradley Lord—already involved with the programme—having previously been promoted to deputy team principal. Mercedes relies on a team of up to ten people dedicated to junior categories.
With Lagrue on board, Red Bull hopes to continue its strong tradition of talent development and pave the way for future F1 race winners and world champions. The challenge lies in matching and even surpassing the impressive streak of past successes.