Who is Alan Permane? Everything you need to know about Racing Bulls’ new team principal

In the fast-paced world of Formula 1, few names carry the weight of experience and technical acumen quite like Alan Permane. Following the departure of Christian Horner from Red Bull and Laurent Mekies’ promotion to take over at the helm, the Faenza-based Racing Bulls have announced Alan Permane as their new team principal — a decision that not only brings experience but also stability in turbulent times.

Alan Permane: A veteran of the F1 paddock

Alan Permane isn’t just another name shuffled around in the paddock — he’s a Formula 1 veteran with more than three decades of service in the sport. Born in 1967, the Englishman began his journey in motorsport in 1989 with the Benetton team as an electronics engineer, supporting drivers like Alessandro Nannini and Emanuele Pirro. His early involvement in the controversial Japanese Grand Prix win in 1989 was only the beginning of a storied career that would include legendary names like Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso.

From Benetton to Alpine: The Enstone Legacy

Alan Permane’s career is intricately tied to the Enstone-based F1 operation, which evolved from Benetton to Renault, Lotus, and eventually Alpine. As the team underwent multiple identity changes, Permane’s roles evolved in parallel — from electronics engineer to race engineer, then chief race engineer in 2007, and eventually ascending to chief operating officer in 2011.

By 2012, he was appointed sporting director, a role he held until his sudden exit after the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix. Despite multiple championship wins — including titles with Schumacher in the mid-90s and Alonso in 2005 and 2006 — Permane's tenure ended amid strategic disagreements with Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi. As Permane later reflected, it was a "misalignment" over the team's future that ended a long-standing and successful relationship.

Rejoining the grid with Racing Bulls

After sitting out the remainder of the 2023 season, Alan Permane made a triumphant return in 2024 as Racing Bulls’ Sporting Director. Tasked with supporting CEO Peter Bayer and team principal Laurent Mekies, he played a crucial role in steadying the team’s technical and operational framework.

Now, with Mekies stepping up to lead Red Bull’s main outfit after Horner’s departure, Permane has taken over as Racing Bulls’ team principal — a fitting elevation given his extensive experience and recent contributions.

The Challenge Ahead: Steering Racing Bulls into the future

As of mid-2025, Racing Bulls sits sixth in the Constructors’ Championship — a respectable standing, but not one that satisfies the ambitions of a team closely tied to Red Bull’s main operations. Permane’s leadership will be critical as the team navigates a shifting technical landscape, prepares for the 2026 regulations, and looks to strengthen its driver development pipeline.

With a proven track record of championship pedigree, strategic foresight, and team leadership, Alan Alan Permane appears well-suited for the challenge. His technical background, deep understanding of F1 dynamics, and hands-on experience with team evolution position him as a steady hand during a time of major transition in the Red Bull racing ecosystem.

As the man now tasked with writing the next chapter in Racing Bulls’ story, the question isn’t whether Alan Permane is ready — it’s how high he can lead the team in this new era.