Alan Permane admitted that \u201cshock\u201d was one of the emotions he felt after being confirmed as the new Racing Bulls team principal.<\/p>\n
The role change came about after Red Bull\u2019s bombshell announcement that Christian Horner had been released with immediate effect after 20+ years at the helm of Red Bull<\/a> Racing, the subsequent re-shuffle seeing Permane move from racing director to team principal at Racing Bulls.<\/p>\n Red Bull install Alan Permane as new Racing Bulls boss<\/p>\n After announcing Horner\u2019s immediate departure in the days following the British Grand Prix, Red Bull swiftly confirmed Laurent Mekies as his replacement, the Frenchman promoted from his Racing Bulls team principal role to Red Bull Racing CEO.<\/p>\n That meant a new boss was needed for the junior Racing Bulls team, Permane getting the nod to shift over to the hot seat having served as racing director since 2024.<\/p>\n Permane would express his gratitude to Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull\u2019s CEO of corporate projects and new investments, and Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko, after his unexpected appointment.<\/p>\n Red Bull are yet to issue an explanation for their decision to sack Horner, which triggered this re-shuffle in the ranks.<\/p>\n \u201cI had many reactions to the news, some shock, some pride,\u201d Permane told Motorsport.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s amazing that they feel I\u2019m capable and have the potential to lead this team.<\/p>\n \u201cI deeply thank the Red Bull Austria senior management, Oliver Mintzlaff and Helmut Marko, and, of course, Laurent for recommending me, pushing me forward, his belief in me as well. It\u2019s been a great week.\u201d<\/p>\n Permane said that Mekies and Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer have done a \u201cfantastic job\u201d over the \u201clast 18 months\u201d, meaning it will be business as usual for the team under Permane, as he looks to \u201ckeep the team on the same trajectory\u201d.<\/p>\n Racing Bulls sit seventh in the current F1 2025 Constructors\u2019 Championship<\/a> standings and are very much in the battle for P5, Williams 23 points up the road in that position.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a great team and I know that the senior Red Bull guys are extremely happy with the way the team is being run,\u201d Permane added. \u201cThey\u2019re very happy with our competitiveness.<\/p>\n \u201cThe target is to be top of the midfield, and we are certainly in a battle for that and we\u2019ll continue that fight throughout this year.\u201d<\/p>\n All the details you need on Laurent Mekies and Alan Permane<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Who is Laurent Mekies? Christian Horner\u2019s Red Bull replacement<\/a><\/p>\n