Alan Permane has committed to leading the Racing Bulls Formula 1® team through to the end of the 2031 season, following the signing of a new contract. This extension secures his role as team principal for several more years, reflecting the confidence Red Bull places in his leadership and vision for the Faenza-based outfit.
Permane joined Racing Bulls as racing director ahead of the 2024 season after a long career at Alpine, where he worked from 1989 to 2023 in various technical and sporting roles. His promotion to team principal came after Laurent Mekies took over as Red Bull’s sporting director, replacing Christian Horner. Under Permane’s guidance, Racing Bulls has shown consistent progress, improving its points tally each season.
The team’s performance has steadily climbed, with 46 points scored in 2024, 92 in 2025, and 108 points so far in 2026. This trajectory positions Racing Bulls to finish fifth in the constructors’ championship in 2026, marking its best result since its origins as Minardi in 1985.
Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments, highlighted Permane’s experience and leadership as key factors in the team’s ongoing development. Permane himself expressed pride in the team’s culture and the progress made so far, while emphasizing the ambition to continue improving in the coming years.
One of the contributors to Racing Bulls’ advancement has been a series of consistent aerodynamic upgrades throughout the 2026 season, which Permane credited for the improved competitiveness. While the team’s drivers, including Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad, have played their parts, the focus remains on building a strong foundation for sustained growth rather than immediate championship contention.
With this long-term commitment, Racing Bulls aims to consolidate its position within the midfield and potentially challenge higher up the grid. Permane’s extended tenure provides stability and a clear direction for the team as it navigates the evolving landscape of Formula 1® racing.
The contract extension reflects Red Bull’s strategy to nurture its Faenza-based squad as a key part of its broader Formula 1® operation. Permane’s leadership will be central to this plan, guiding Racing Bulls through the next phase of technical and sporting challenges.