In the wake of Christian Horner’s immediate exit from Red Bull Racing, Laurent Mekies has been promoted to lead the senior team, leaving a crucial vacancy at Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s sister outfit. That spot will now be filled by Alan Permane, a name that may not generate headlines but carries serious weight within the Formula 1 paddock.
With decades of technical and strategic experience across several teams, Permane’s arrival signals a focus on stability and race-day execution at a time when both Red Bull-backed squads are undergoing deep structural change.
A Paddock Mainstay Since the Benetton Era
Alan Permane’s F1 story began in the late 1980s with the Benetton F1 team, where he worked as a test electronics engineer. Over the next three decades, he served through every evolution of that team—from Benetton to Renault, then Lotus, back to Renault, and finally Alpine.
In that time, he worked with World Champions like Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, and Kimi Räikkönen. His longevity and adaptability made him one of the most respected voices on the pit wall, especially when it came to race strategy and driver management.
At Alpine, Permane held the role of sporting director, overseeing race operations and acting as a key link between engineering, strategy, and the FIA. He was often the man in the driver’s ear during tense races and mid-session recalibrations. His tactical nous and calm communication style earned him the nickname “The Quiet General” among colleagues.
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Alpine Exit and Temporary Hiatus
In a surprise move during the 2023 season, Alpine let go of both team principal Otmar Szafnauer and Alan Permane as part of an internal restructuring. It marked the end of a 34-year stretch of continuous service within the same organization—a rarity in modern Formula 1.
After his departure, Permane briefly stepped away from frontline racing roles. Though there were rumors of behind-the-scenes consultancy work with other teams, he remained mostly out of the spotlight throughout 2024.
Now, in 2025, Red Bull has brought him back, not as an advisor, but as the new team principal of Racing Bulls.
Why Racing Bulls, Why Now?
Racing Bulls, formerly AlphaTauri, has long functioned as a proving ground for Red Bull juniors and technical innovations. Under Mekies, the team aimed for greater independence while remaining tied to Red Bull’s long-term ambitions.
Permane’s appointment suggests a renewed focus on extracting maximum race performance from a limited budget and evolving driver lineup. With a solid mid-pack car and emerging talent like Ayumu Iwasa and Liam Lawson (or whoever is confirmed next), Racing Bulls needs consistency on the pit wall, something Permane is known to deliver.
“Alan brings decades of trackside experience, deep technical knowledge, and a steady hand. He’s exactly what Racing Bulls needs to keep pushing forward,” said Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull GmbH CEO, in a press release.
A Strategist at Heart
Unlike many modern team principals who come from marketing or executive roles, Permane remains a track-focused engineer at heart. He is most comfortable in the garage, reviewing telemetry and guiding race engineers during chaotic grands prix.
In a Formula 1 era increasingly shaped by data, software, and simulation, his traditionalist yet analytical mindset makes him a rare hybrid—trusted by engineers, respected by drivers, and rarely flustered.
His role at Racing Bulls may not draw as much global attention as Mekies’ promotion, but within the paddock, it’s viewed as a sensible, experience-driven decision.
Looking Ahead
As Red Bull restructures its leadership across both teams, Alan Permane’s challenge will be to keep Racing Bulls competitive in the midfield while aligning its development path with the senior squad’s shifting priorities. He’ll also play a role in grooming the next generation of Red Bull drivers, helping assess who is ready to step into the shoes of Verstappen or Pérez when the time comes.
It’s not a flashy appointment, but for a team that needs clarity, direction, and calm leadership, Permane may be the most underrated hire of the season.