Alan Permane has stepped into a new chapter of his motorsport career, taking over as team principal of Racing Bulls following the internal shake-up caused by Christian Horner’s exit from Red Bull. With Laurent Mekies promoted to Horner’s role, Permane, a seasoned paddock veteran, was selected to lead the Anglo-Italian outfit. His promotion sees him overseeing a 700-person team split between Faenza and Milton Keynes. Though caught by surprise, Permane expressed both pride and gratitude to Red Bull senior figures and Mekies for their faith in him.
Permane brings over three decades of F1 experience, including long tenures with Benetton, Renault, and Alpine. He joined Racing Bulls in early 2024 and quickly became an integral part of the team. Although he hadn’t previously aspired to become a team boss, he now embraces the role with excitement. Permane acknowledged that the team’s current management structure is strong and intends to maintain the momentum Mekies and CEO Peter Bayer built, especially in keeping Racing Bulls in the fight for midfield supremacy.
Despite the quick transition, Permane sees no need for immediate structural changes, aiming instead to preserve the progress made under Mekies. He plans to divide his time between Italy and the UK, slightly more weighted toward Faenza where much of the team is based. His strategy is to continue steady development and capitalize on the groundwork already laid. He emphasized that Red Bull’s leadership is satisfied with the direction and competitiveness of the team.
Taking over such a large operation is no small feat, but Permane believes his time as a sporting director has prepared him well. Managing up to 70 people, engaging with FIA regulations, and navigating protests gave him a solid foundation. However, he recognizes that leading an entire organization of over 700 individuals is a far greater responsibility. Rather than immediately replacing his former position, chief race engineer Mattia Spini will take on additional duties to support the transition.
Permane has received encouragement from old friends in the paddock, including Sauber’s Jonathan Wheatley, with whom he worked during Michael Schumacher’s championship days. Their shared history highlights how far both men have come in the sport. Though Permane never planned for a team principal role, he now looks forward to the challenge and believes he can bring stability and leadership to Racing Bulls. His journey reflects not only professional growth but also a continued passion for Formula 1.
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