Alan Permane signs deal to stay as Racing Bulls Team Principal through to 2031

Alan Permane has signed a long-term contract extension that will see him remain Team Principal and Co-CEO Sporting of Racing Bulls through to the end of 2031.

Permane joined the team as Racing Director in January 2024 before being promoted to Team Principal in July 2025, following the departure of Laurent Mekies – who left to become the Team Principal of Red Bull Racing following the departure of Christian Horner.

Since then, Racing Bulls have claimed their first podium under the VCARB name at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix and finished sixth in last year's Constructors’ Championship, matching the squad’s previous best result.

The team have continued to score points regularly in 2026 and remain in contention for fifth in the championship, which would represent their best-ever Constructors’ finish.

“I am immensely proud to be continuing this journey with VCARB,” said Permane. “We have the right people, the right culture and a clear sense of where we want to go, and I am excited to keep pushing together.”

Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments, said the new deal would give Racing Bulls “stability and continuity” as the team look to build on their recent progress.

"Alan is doing a tremendous job, and the progress the team has made is a direct reflection of his experience, commitment and competitive mindset,” said Mintzlaff. “He brings clarity, composure, and a deep understanding of what it takes to perform in Formula One, while creating an environment where people can consistently deliver at their best.

“The results Visa Cash App Racing Bulls has achieved in recent seasons underline the strength of the team and the work being done throughout the organization. Alan has played a key role in that progress, and we are very pleased that he will continue to lead the team as we look to build on this momentum in the years ahead.

“Together with Peter Bayer as Co-CEO Commercial, Alan forms a strong and experienced leadership team. They complement each other exceptionally well, bringing different strengths and perspectives to the organization. I am delighted that we have this stability and continuity in place, providing a clear platform for the team’s future development and long-term ambitions.”

Permane has more than three decades of Formula 1 experience, including 34 years with ‘Team Enstone’ – most recently in their Alpine guise – where he held roles including Race Engineer, Chief Race Engineer and Sporting Director, and was part of championship-winning campaigns with Michael Schumacher in 1994 and 1995, and Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006.