Mercedes scout Gwen Lagrue to lead Red Bull driver program

A key architect of Mercedes' highly successful young driver program is leaving the team to join rival Red Bull. Gwen Lagrue, a 50-year-old French talent scout and development expert, is set to lead Red Bull's driver development program, according to reports.

Lagrue's appointment is viewed as a direct replacement for Helmut Marko, who stepped down from his role as Red Bull's motorsport adviser at the end of 2025. The timing of Lagrue's formal transition remains uncertain, as Mercedes and Red Bull are currently negotiating the terms of his release from his existing contract as Mercedes' driver development adviser. All parties involved have declined to comment on the move.

During his decade with Mercedes, Lagrue built a reputation as one of the most respected talent identifiers in motorsport. He was instrumental in discovering current championship leader Kimi Antonelli when the Italian was just 11 years old and racing in go-karts. Lagrue guided Antonelli through an accelerated development pathway that culminated in the driver's promotion to the Mercedes Formula 1 team in 2025 following Lewis Hamilton's departure to Ferrari. Antonelli has since emerged as a dominant force in the...