Mercedes has introduced the departure of younger driver guru Gwen Lagrue, with the Frenchman formally becoming a member of Pink Bull as its Formulation 1 junior programme director.
As beforehand reported by Autosport, over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, long-standing junior driver guru Lagrue is becoming a member of the Pink Bull F1 group in the same function to the one he held at Mercedes. On Monday afternoon Mercedes formally confirmed on its social media channels that Lagrue could be departing the Silver Arrows.
“Thanks Gwen. It’s been an ideal experience collectively,” Mercedes wrote in its farewell message. “Collectively, we’ve developed many younger drivers, together with our present F1 drivers George and Kimi, and also you’ve made a improbable contribution.
“We’ve got constructed a real successor to the unique Mercedes-Benz junior group, and you permit in place a proficient group to hold on this work. Skilled relationships could come to an finish, however we’ll at all times stay buddies, with a shared mindset. We want you properly in your subsequent problem.”
Quickly after, Pink Bull formally confirmed Lagrue’s arrival, naming him the organisation’s director of the Pink Bull junior programme, the place he’ll report back to group principal and CEO Laurent Mekies, and fill the void created by long-time driver advisor Helmut Marko’s retirement on the finish of final yr.
“Gwen is without doubt one of the best possible expertise builders in F1 and I do know first-hand the experience, management and keenness he brings to growing younger drivers,” stated Mekies. “The Pink Bull Junior Programme has at all times been a cornerstone of Pink Bull’s success, and having Gwen lead it quickly displays the significance we proceed to put on growing the following technology of F1 expertise.
Frederic Vasseur, Staff Principal and Normal Supervisor, Scuderia Ferrari, Gwen Lagrue, Mercedes Driver Improvement Advisor, Laurent Mekies, Staff Principal, RB F1 Staff
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Pictures
“We wish to recognise one other time in the present day the extraordinary contribution Helmut Marko has revamped greater than 20 years creating and main the Junior Programme. The Junior Programme has grow to be the benchmark in F1 due to his imaginative and prescient, dedication and skill to determine and develop distinctive abilities and he deserves huge credit score for that.”
Lagrue added: “Becoming a member of Oracle Red Bull Racing marks the start of an thrilling new chapter for me. After eleven memorable years at Mercedes, I felt this was the proper second to tackle a brand new problem and proceed rising personally and professionally.
“The Pink Bull Junior Programme is without doubt one of the most revered and profitable driver growth programmes in motorsport. It has produced a few of the best abilities F1 has ever seen, and it’s a actual honour to have the chance to steer such a proficient group of individuals and assist form its subsequent chapter.”
Beneath Lagrue’s tenure, Mercedes introduced the likes of Esteban Ocon and George Russell to F1 by the Mercedes junior programme.
Kimi Antonelli, who was noticed by Lagrue in karting on the age of 11, was the most recent prospect that Mercedes fast-tracked by the single-seater ranks, culminating in an F1 debut on the age of 18 and title successful kind in his sophomore yr this season.
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