Mercedes Confirms Gwen Lagrue Exit Ahead of Red Bull Switch

Mercedes has officially confirmed the departure of Gwen Lagrue, who led its junior driver programme for the past decade, ahead of his widely expected move to Red Bull. Lagrue will take charge of Red Bull's junior stable, filling the gap left by Helmut Marko's decision to step back from the role at the end of 2025.

Why it matters:

Lagrue's exit marks a significant reshuffle in Formula 1's driver development hierarchy. During his tenure at Mercedes, he oversaw the progression of current race drivers George Russell and championship leader Kimi Antonelli, alongside 2025 F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin. His move to Red Bull is a notable strategic gain for the Austrian outfit as it restructures its talent pipeline without Marko's long-standing oversight, while Mercedes must now preserve a system he largely built from the ground up.

The details:

• Mercedes announced the news on social media with Toto Wolff, thanking Lagrue for establishing a programme that serves as the true successor to the original Mercedes-Benz junior team.
• Succession Planning: Wolff confirmed the team has already put continuity measures in place, with seven to nine staff members continuing the junior programme and Bradley Lord recently elevated to deputy team principal.
• Red Bull's New Chapter: While Mercedes did not officially name Red Bull as his destination, the switch is considered imminent. Red Bull has operated without Marko's direct stewardship of its junior programme since the end of last season.
• Mid-Season Timing: The announcement comes halfway through 2026, with Mercedes junior graduate Antonelli currently holding a 50-point advantage at the top of the Drivers' Championship.

What's next:

Red Bull will be counting on Lagrue to bring the same eye for talent and structural discipline that produced multiple Mercedes-backed drivers. For Mercedes, the immediate test is ensuring their well-staffed junior infrastructure can maintain its current output without the figure who served as its foundation for the last ten years.