Toto Wolff responds to Gwen Lagrue’s reported Red Bull move

Wolff confirms Mercedes is discussing Lagrue’s future

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has addressed the reported departure of Gwen Lagrue, after Red Bull moved to secure the highly regarded figure responsible for the Silver Arrows’ driver development programme.

RacingNews365 learned ahead of Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix that Red Bull had signed Lagrue as its new head of driver development. However, Wolff stopped short of confirming that the Frenchman will join the Milton Keynes-based team, insisting that discussions over his future with Mercedes are still ongoing.

“Yeah, we’re in discussions with Gwen about the future, but nothing’s been agreed or decided yet,” Wolff told select media.

The situation adds an important off-track storyline to the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. Mercedes’ junior programme has been shaped significantly by Lagrue, who has held his position for several years and overseen the progress of drivers including Esteban Ocon, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli on their respective paths towards Formula 1.

Antonelli’s presence at the centre of Mercedes’ current driver line-up gives the development programme particular relevance as the team manages a changing organisational picture. Read more Belgian Grand Prix coverage here.

A major addition for Red Bull

Lagrue has also guided Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti through the junior categories and into his current role with the Silver Arrows. His reported recruitment would therefore represent a significant addition for Red Bull, particularly as the team begins the Laurent Mekies era.

Mekies and Lagrue are known to have worked closely together, making the move a clear indication of Red Bull’s intention to attract leading talent for its driver development operation. Wolff’s comments, though, suggest that the final outcome has not yet been formally settled from Mercedes’ perspective.

“Gwen has built up a fantastic team. We have about seven, eight or nine people running the junior programme going forward, along with a handful of juniors, and with Bradley [Lord] stepping up as deputy team principal,” Wolff added.

The immediate task for Mercedes is to establish how that structure will operate. Wolff said the necessary arrangements now need to be worked out with Lagrue, leaving the door open to further discussions before any change is confirmed.

“These things need to be worked out now. We want to do it together with Gwen, and then we’ll see,” he said.

Wolff confirms Mercedes is discussing Lagrue’s future