After years of attrition at Red Bull, the Austrian racing team will strengthen itself next year with Mercedes talent scout Gwen Lagrue. The Frenchman was responsible, among other things, for the development of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli and will take charge of Red Bull’s successful junior program in Milton Keynes. According to Johnny Herbert, the team may be preparing for the departure of Max Verstappen with this move.
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At the end of July, it was announced that Gwen Lagrue will move from Mercedes to Red Bull starting in 2027, where he will follow in the footsteps of Helmut Marko. After his successful period with the Silberpfeile, he will also scout and further develop the F1 drivers of the future at Red Bull. According to Herbert, the team may want to focus on finding a new Max Verstappen in case the Dutchman decides to end the collaboration.
“I know Gwen Lagrue; he knows exactly what it takes to get the best out of an individual,” said the former driver to a betting platform. “Moreover, a team that has one of the best drivers ever in its ranks knows it must prove it has the right ingredients to rebuild successfully. He (Lagrue, ed.) also understands very well how a team environment works. It’s about the right harmony so that a driver feels everything around him is organized positively. He fits perfectly with Red Bull and will have a very positive influence.”
Red Bull era without Max Verstappen
“Red Bull must convince Max (Verstappen, ed.) that it is doing everything to get the organization back on track,” emphasized Herbert. “It must be clear that they are not sitting back.” According to the former FIA steward, however, the collaboration can also be ‘interpreted differently’. Recruiting Lagrue can also be a way for Red Bull to prepare for the departure of the Dutchman.
“If Max has already made a deal elsewhere, then as a team you have to look ahead,” he added. “Then you have to focus, for example, on Isack Hadjar and create the best possible environment for him as Red Bull. A team is always aware that a driver might leave.”
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