Red Bull retained Tom Hart for a race‑engineer role and has signed former Mercedes talent scout Gwen Lagrue to head its junior programme, sending a clear signal that the Milton Keynes outfit is still reaching for fresh talent amid a wave of departures.
Hart stays as the new race engineer
Hart, long the performance engineer for Max Verstappen, was set to become Alexander Albon’s race‑engineer at Williams. However, Red Bull persuaded him to stay, paving the way for him to take on the role once Gianpiero Lambiase departs to McLaren in 2028.
Lambiase will enter a gardening‑leave period before leaving, so Hart will step up at the start of 2027. He has already deputised on several occasions, proving the team’s preference for internal promotion when filling senior roles.
Lagrue bolsters the junior pipeline
In the same weekend, Red Bull announced that Gwen Lagrue will move from Mercedes to run its junior driver programme. Lagrue has a decade‑long pedigree at Mercedes, having signed drivers such as George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Mercedes is speaking to Lagrue about his future, so a start date at Red Bull remains flexible. The hiring is part of the succession plan that replaces Helmut Marko, who oversaw the junior programme for 25 years before stepping down last season.
Red Bull is signalling that it remains a magnet for talent even as other key figures leave the organisation.
Leadership’s dual‑plan philosophy
Laurent Mekies, team principal, has repeatedly outlined that internal promotions are “plan A,” but recruiting outside expertise when necessary is “plan B.” The Hart and Lagrue moves illustrate the application of this philosophy. Where Hart’s internal experience is valuable, Lagrue’s external skill set and networks bolster the team’s scouting.
Mekies has hinted that the choice of Lagrue resembles the decision that brought Marko in the first place – a mix of internal grooming and external insight.
Implications for Verstappen’s future
Verstappen has spoken publicly that he already had an eye on the race‑engineer position, suggesting he envisaged Hart stepping into that post. Red Bull has now ensured Hart’s contractual security, should the Dutchman decide to move away from the team.
With McLaren already dreaming up a future that includes former Red Bull personnel such as Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay, the team’s ability to shape Verstappen’s environment is a key question.
Mekies has expressed confidence that the collective talent across all levels remains “in‑house” and that the team will only look outward when absolutely necessary. “We have the depth and the talent to stay ahead,” he told Motorsport.com.
These internal and external shifts illustrate the club’s core belief that a blend of promoted insiders and strategically chosen outsiders can maintain competitive success while the team adapts to a new generation of talent.
Next‑stage leadership composition
With Hart stepping into the race‑engineering role in 2027, Lagrue at the helm of the junior programme, and the underlying plan for a continued internal promotion path, Red Bull is crafting a new leadership fabric that could keep the team matched to the demands of Grand Prix racing.
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