Mercedes talent scout Gwen Lagrue set to join Red Bull after Mercedes talks

Mercedes driver development adviser Gwen Lagrue is leaving the team to take up a role leading Red Bull’s driver development programme, according to reports following the Belgian Grand Prix. Red Bull has recruited the 50-year-old Frenchman as a successor to long-serving figure Helmut Marko, while Mercedes and Lagrue have been in discussions over his release from an existing contract.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies and Lagrue declined to comment when approached by BBC Sport. Mercedes initially did the same, but after the Belgian Grand Prix team principal Toto Wolff said discussions were ongoing and that nothing had been agreed or decided.

Wolff described Lagrue as having built a “fantastic team” within Mercedes’ young-driver programme and noted internal adjustments are under way, including Bradley Lord stepping up as deputy team principal. It remains unclear when Lagrue would be freed to start at Red Bull while the two teams negotiate a release agreement.

At Mercedes, Lagrue has overseen a wide-ranging junior operation of around seven to ten staff, scouting from karting upward. Under his stewardship the programme signed drivers such as George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, the latter recruited at age 11 and promoted into Mercedes’ race seat when Lewis Hamilton moved to Ferrari at the start of 2025.

Antonelli, now 19, leads the drivers’ championship and has won six of the 10 grands prix so far this season. Other successes linked to Mercedes’ junior pathway under Lagrue include Esteban Ocon and reserve driver Frederik Vesti. Lagrue also supported Alex Albon earlier in his career after Red Bull removed him from their junior programme.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

Red Bull has appointed Gwen Lagrue to head its driver development programme, seeking to strengthen its junior pathway after recent departures of senior staff. Mercedes confirms internal reshaping of its junior operation with promoted figures and ongoing discussions regarding Lagrue’s contractual release. The timing of any transfer remains unresolved.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Gwen Lagrue, 50, is set to join Red Bull to lead its driver development programme.
• Mercedes and Red Bull are negotiating his release from a Mercedes contract; timing is unclear.
• Lagrue led Mercedes’ successful junior programme that signed drivers including George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.