New Racing Bulls Formula 1 boss Alan Permane has expressed “shock” at being picked to lead the team as he insisted that he has no plans to make drastic changes.
Red Bull’s decision to dismiss Christian Horner and replace him with ex-Racing Bulls Team Principal Laurent Mekies created an opening at the group’s satellite squad.
But rather than pivoting to an external option as it did when Mekies succeeded Franz Tost, Red Bull has selected paddock veteran Permane to replace the Frenchman.
Having lasted three decades with the Enstone-based squad across its various guises prior to starting at Racing Bulls in 2024, Permane is no stranger to an F1 pitlane.
However, the Briton, who had served as the side’s Racing Director, divulged that he was taken aback when he was granted the chance to take the helm at Racing Bulls.
“I had many reactions to the news, some shock, some pride,” Permane told Autosport.
“It’s amazing that they feel I’m capable and have the potential to lead this team.
“I deeply thank the Red Bull Austria senior management, Oliver Mintzlaff and Helmut Marko, and Laurent for recommending me, pushing me forward, his belief in me as well.”
The Red Bull-owned operation became an established points-scoring team under Mekies and CEO Peter Bayer’s watch since rebranding into Racing Bulls last season.
And with the team building towards the impending rule change in 2026, Permane has insisted that he intends to ensure that things keep trending in the right direction.
“Well, the plan of action is to keep things as they are,” he explained. “Laurent and Peter have done a fantastic job with this team over the last 18 months, leading to a surge in competitiveness. And my plan is to keep that running, keep the team on the same trajectory as it’s been on.
“It’s a great team and I know that the senior Red Bull guys are extremely happy with the way the team is being run. They’re very happy with our competitiveness.
“The target is to be top of the midfield, and we are certainly in a battle for that and we’ll continue that fight throughout this year.
“From my side, it’s certainly going to mean some more travel,” he acknowledged. “I’m predominantly based in Milton Keynes.
“In my previous role as racing director, I did spend some time in Italy, but it will no doubt mean I will split my time between the two sites.
“Probably a little bit more on the Faenza side, where that larger part of the team is.”
Permane is well-placed to succeed at Racing Bulls
Permane believes his extensive experience in his previous roles has set him up well to sustain the most seamless transition possible to heading up an entire F1 team.
“I think Sporting Director gives you a decent grounding,” he highlighted. “It’s a much bigger role, of course.
“As a Sporting Director, you manage a group of 60 or 70 people. You sit on FIA committees.
“You work with the FIA, with stewards, with penalties and protests and things like that.
“So, you have a very good grounding and basis to take this job on, but it’s of course a much bigger role.
“There will be many things that are new, but I’m very ready to take it on and then I’m confident I’ll do a good job.”
How Permane’s promotion has restructured Racing Bulls
Meanwhile, Permane revealed that Racing Bulls will no longer operate with a nominated Racing Director, as Chief Race Engineer Mattia Spini will execute more duties.
“At the moment we won’t fill it. We won’t change things immediately,” he added.
“Mattia will step up, and he’s an excellent chief race engineer, and he’s keen to do more, and he certainly has the capability to do more.
“Inevitably, I will be involved a bit more in that side of the business than Laurent was, certainly at the start, just making sure that that transition is as smooth as it can be.
“But I don’t have any worries on that side. The trackside team between Milton Keynes and Faenza is very strong.”
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