Red Bull earn glowing praise for poaching top Mercedes figure in major coup

Following a series of high-profile departures from senior leadership positions, the Milton Keynes-based team pulled off a big signing by luring away from Mercedes the man responsible for identifying several drivers who went on to become established Formula 1 stars, including George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

Speaking on the Red Flags Podcast, Steiner admitted he was surprised by Lagrue's decision to leave Mercedes, suggesting Red Bull must have presented him with a very attractive offer given the strong relationships he had built within the team: “I was quite surprised that he’s leaving Mercedes. They (Red Bull) must have made him a very good offer because he’s very close to the people there.”

He also praised Lagrue's ability to identify young talent and his deep knowledge of the junior racing ladder, arguing that his decades of experience give him a unique advantage and make him an outstanding long-term signing for Red Bull.

“I think he’s (excellent at) spotting talent and knowing what’s going on in all the series. Gwen has been doing it longer than anybody else. Therefore, he has got that advantage, and he knows what he’s looking for. So absolutely, that was a very good hire by Laurent to get Gwen there for the future.”

In a recent social media post, Lagrue reflected on the end of an unforgettable 11-year chapter with Mercedes, describing his final Grand Prix in Budapest as an emotional milestone. He thanked Toto Wolff for giving him the opportunity to join the team and looked back on a journey defined by constant growth, shared ambition and the drive to help young drivers fulfil their potential.

While acknowledging everything the team achieved together, he said his greatest source of pride was not the trophies or results, but the many talented drivers he had the privilege of working with, including George Russell, Kimi Antonelli and several others who came through the Mercedes junior programme.

He also paid tribute to everyone at Mercedes, praising the passion, dedication and pursuit of excellence that have defined the team throughout his time there. Lagrue said watching young drivers develop into world-class professionals had been one of the greatest privileges of his career, encouraging the next generation to keep dreaming big and making the most of the opportunities ahead.

He concluded by saying that, although championships and victories are what people usually remember, he would always cherish the people behind those successes, thanking the entire Mercedes family for trusting him and allowing him to play a part in the team's story.