Newly appointed Racing Bulls team boss Alan Permane reveals his strategy for Red Bull’s sister team. The Brit was informed in early July that he would be at the helm of Racing Bulls for the first time at Spa-Francorchamps, following the promotion of his predecessor Laurent Mekies to Red Bull team boss. Permane says he is ready for his new challenge, partly due to his time as sporting director at Alpine.
The recent dismissal of Christian Horner from Red Bull has caused quite a few changes within both the Austrian racing stable itself and sister team Racing Bulls. Laurent Mekies was allowed to take on the role of new team boss at Red Bull, while Alan Permane was promoted to the role of team boss at Racing Bulls. The Brit has been working as a racing director at the sister team in Faenza since January 2024.
“I had many reactions to the news, some shock, some pride,” Permane tells Motorsport.com about the moment his new job was announced. “It’s great that they think I’m capable and have the potential to lead this team.”
The Brit doesn’t have much time to get used to his new role, as the Belgian GP is already scheduled for the upcoming weekend. “At the moment, the plan of action is to keep things as they are,” Permane continues. “Laurent and Peter (Bayer, ed.) have done fantastic work with this team over the past eighteen months, leading to a strong competitive position. And my plan is to keep it that way, to keep the team on the same path.”
Permane is Ready for the Challenge
Of course, Permane has a long-term vision for the racing team. “The goal is to become the top of the midfield and we are certainly working on that. We will continue this fight this year,” reveals the newly appointed team boss. Prior to his time at Racing Bulls, Permane was, among other things, the sports director of Alpine. According to the Brit, this previous role has well prepared him for his current job as team boss.
“I think my time as sports director gives me a good foundation,” explains Permane. “Being a team boss is obviously a much larger role. As a sports director, you lead a group of sixty or seventy people. You sit on FIA committees. You work with the FIA, with stewards, with penalties and protests and that kind of thing. So, I have a good foundation to take on this job, but it is obviously a much larger role.” The Brit is very excited about his new challenge at Racing Bulls: “There will be many new things, but I am completely ready for it. I am confident that I will do a good job.”
