Racing Bulls secure Alan Permane until 2031 with new long-term deal

Racing Bulls have announced a long-term contract extension for Alan Permane, who will remain Team Principal and Co-CEO Sporting through to the end of 2031. Confirmed on November 6 at the start of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend, the agreement sets a clear direction for the Faenza-based team’s leadership.

Backing after strong progress

Permane joined the team as Racing Director in January 2024. He took over as Team Principal in July 2025 after Laurent Mekies moved to Red Bull Racing to replace Christian Horner.

Since then, Racing Bulls have strengthened their position in the midfield. In 2025, the team finished sixth in the Constructors’ Championship and secured their first podium under their current name at the Dutch Grand Prix. The target is now even higher: fifth place, which would be the best final championship position in the team’s history.

According to Reuters, Racing Bulls head into the Brazilian weekend in fifth, 39 points clear of Alpine. Four race weekends remain, including the event at Interlagos.

Why Red Bull are backing Permane

Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments, linked the new agreement to Permane’s experience, composure and competitive approach. He highlighted the Briton’s key contribution to the team’s progress and his ability to create an environment in which staff can consistently perform at their best.

Permane will continue to work alongside Peter Bayer, the team’s Co-CEO Commercial. Mintzlaff stressed that the two complement each other and provide the continuity needed for long-term development.

Permane himself credited the collective efforts of staff at the track and at the team’s bases in Faenza and Milton Keynes. He described the fight for fifth as a source of pride, while making clear that the team’s ambitions extend beyond the current season.

Experience from championship-winning years

Permane spent 34 years with the Enstone operation through its Benetton, Renault, Lotus and Alpine identities. His engineering and management roles included involvement in Michael Schumacher’s championship campaigns in 1994 and 1995 and Fernando Alonso’s title-winning seasons in 2005 and 2006.

What does it mean for Nikola Tsolov?

The extension ensures continuity in management, but does not itself determine the team’s 2027 driver pairing.

In October, Permane identified Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad and Nikola Tsolov as three strong contenders for the two seats. He explained that Racing Bulls assess both current speed and the potential for future development.

For the Bulgarian driver, the significance is that the team leader who publicly recognised his ability and is involved in assessing the candidates will remain in place for the long term. The new deal, however, is an announcement about who will lead the team in the years ahead, rather than a driver selection.

Sources: Formula1.com, Autosport, Reuters and Formula1.com on the driver line-up.