Alan Permane signs Racing Bulls extension through 2031

Alan Permane will remain Racing Bulls team principal until the end of 2031 after Red Bull extended his contract, BBC Sport reported. The agreement keeps the 59-year-old Englishman in charge of Red Bull’s second Formula 1 team, which is fifth in the championship after 19 races this season, ahead of every team outside the leading four.

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Permane took over as team principal in July 2025, stepping up from his previous position as racing director. His promotion followed Laurent Mekies’ move from Racing Bulls to lead Red Bull after Christian Horner was dismissed. The new contract extends Permane’s tenure beyond that initial appointment and comes with the team competing to retain fifth place in the standings.

Racing Bulls’ recent results include Isack Hadjar’s podium at the Dutch Grand Prix last season. That was the team’s first podium finish for four years. Alongside their current championship position, it forms part of the progress highlighted as Red Bull confirmed that Permane would continue to lead the operation in the years ahead.

Oliver Mintzlaff, who oversees Red Bull’s Formula 1 programme as chief executive officer of corporate projects and investments, credited Permane’s experience and leadership with helping the team improve. In comments reported by the BBC, Mintzlaff praised his understanding of Formula 1 and his ability to establish conditions in which staff could perform consistently. He also emphasised the contribution of the wider organisation to the results.

Permane’s experience includes 34 years with the Enstone-based operation through its different identities as Benetton, Renault and Lotus. During that period, the team won two world titles with Michael Schumacher and another two with Fernando Alonso. That lengthy spell preceded his move into the Red Bull organisation and his eventual promotion to the Racing Bulls leadership role.

Responding to the extension, Permane thanked Red Bull for its backing and credited employees working trackside and at Faenza and Milton Keynes. He described the fight for fifth as a source of pride, while stressing that it reflected years of collective effort. He also expressed confidence in the team’s personnel and working culture, saying there was more progress to pursue.