Red Bull is close to making a significant management appointment, following reports that Mercedes’ junior programme chief, Gwen Lagrue, is set to leave Brackley for Milton Keynes. Lagrue, who is widely credited with identifying several future Formula 1 stars, including current championship leader Kimi Antonelli, is expected to take charge of Red Bull’s young driver programme, while Helmut Marko gradually steps back from his long-held responsibilities.
Red Bull closes in on key Mercedes figure – The energy drink giant is reportedly on the verge of completing one of the most intriguing off-track moves of the 2026 Formula 1 season by hiring Mercedes talent scout Gwen Lagrue.
According to reports from both the BBC and The Race, the Frenchman is expected to leave Mercedes after more than a decade of overseeing its highly successful junior driver programme.
While neither team has officially confirmed the appointment, it is understood to be well advanced, which would see Red Bull acquire one of Formula 1’s most respected talent spotters.
Lagrue has played a central role in Mercedes’ young driver academy, helping to identify and develop several future Formula 1 drivers. His reputation has grown significantly in recent years, particularly after he championed the signing of Italian sensation Kimi Antonelli, who has emerged as one of the standout stars of the 2026 season.
This would be one of the most significant personnel transfers away from Mercedes since the current ground-effect era began.
Toto Wolff has confirmed that discussions are taking place
During the Belgian Grand Prix weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged that discussions over Lagrue’s future are ongoing, although he stopped short of confirming the Frenchman’s departure.
“We are talking to Gwen about the future, but nothing has been agreed upon yet, and nothing has been decided,” Wolff said.
The Austrian explained that Mercedes would ideally like to retain Lagrue and continue to develop its driver programme around him.
However, multiple reports suggest that Red Bull is increasingly confident of securing his services, with negotiations between the two teams and Lagrue believed to be progressing.
If completed, the switch would be another example of Formula 1’s fierce competition extending well beyond the racetrack, with teams regularly battling to recruit leading technical, engineering, and management personnel from rivals.
Lagrue is expected to succeed Helmut Marko in his long-standing role
Lagrue is expected to take on much of the work that Marko has overseen since Red Bull launched its junior programme over twenty years ago.
Marko has played a key role in nurturing talent such as Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, establishing Red Bull’s academy as one of the most successful talent pathways in Formula 1.
According to the BBC, Red Bull already views Lagrue as a “key figure” in restoring the programme to its former dominance, as several recent academy graduates have struggled to secure long-term positions within the organisation.
The move would also ensure continuity as Marko, now in his 80s, gradually reduces his day-to-day responsibilities within the team.
Lagrue’s track record makes him one of Formula 1’s most respected scouts
He has built an impressive reputation for identifying elite young drivers before they reach Formula 1.
His greatest success has been Antonelli, whom Mercedes signed at an early stage in his karting career, subsequently guiding him through the junior categories.
Antonelli‘s rapid rise vindicates that decision: the Italian is leading the 2026 Drivers’ Championship after an outstanding first full season in Formula 1.
Lagrue has also played a key role in the development of George Russell, Esteban Ocon, and Frederik Vesti, further solidifying Mercedes’ reputation as one of the sport’s leading driver academies.
There is also an interesting historical link between Lagrue and Red Bull. After losing his place within Red Bull’s junior ranks earlier in his career, Lagrue supported Alex Albon, who eventually returned to the Red Bull family and made his Formula 1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2019.
This illustrates the respect Lagrue has earned throughout the paddock, regardless of team allegiance.
Red Bull tries to fix its recruiting issues
Although Formula 1 headlines are often dominated by driver transfers and technical developments, the recruitment of key personnel behind the scenes can have equally significant long-term consequences.
The next generation of Formula 1 talent is becoming increasingly valuable, with teams investing heavily in youth development under the sport’s cost cap regulations.
By targeting the architect behind Mercedes’ recent academy success, Red Bull is attempting to strengthen one of the foundations that previously produced multiple world champions and race winners.
If finalised, this move could reshape the battle for Formula 1’s brightest young prospects for years to come.
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