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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.
Career Background and Team Progress
Permane joined the team as Racing Director in January 2024 before being promoted to Team Principal in July 2025. He stepped into the role following the departure of Laurent Mekies, who left to become the Team Principal of Red Bull Racing following the departure of Christian Horner.
Since that leadership change, 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.
Leadership Reactions
“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, stated that the new deal would give Racing Bulls stability and continuity as the team look to build on their recent progress. Mintzlaff noted that Permane is doing a tremendous job and that the team’s advancement reflects his experience, commitment, and competitive mindset.
“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,” Mintzlaff said.
Mintzlaff also highlighted that Permane forms a strong and experienced leadership team alongside Peter Bayer as Co-CEO Commercial, stating that they complement each other exceptionally well and provide a clear platform for the team’s future development and long-term ambitions.
Extensive Formula 1 Experience
Permane brings more than three decades of Formula 1 experience to the role. This includes 34 years with ‘Team Enstone’—most recently operating under the Alpine guise—where he held positions such as Race Engineer, Chief Race Engineer, and Sporting Director.
During his career, he was part of championship-winning campaigns with Michael Schumacher in 1994 and 1995, and with Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006.
