Wanted: The next champion

Inside: Recruiting the next F1 star

Gwen Lagrue during manoeuvre critique: He is looking for young, talented drivers for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula ONE junior programme to challenge and encourage them.

To the AMG Private Lounge
Gwen Lagrue during manoeuvre critique
Gwen Lagrue during manoeuvre critique

In motorsport, victories are achieved only with an outstanding team. And with the best drivers. But how do you find and develop them? How can you lead them to the top? Gwen Lagrue, Driver Development Advisor at the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula ONE Team, gives us a clue.

Talent is something that rises to the surface early on. Many who make it to the top of their discipline seem to be born with it. But without encouragement and diligence, talent remains nothing but promise. A rough diamond that lacks the polish to become a jewel. You could say that Gwen Lagrue is the jeweler in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula ONE Team: The Frenchman is in charge of the junior programme for aspiring professional drivers.

He scouts talented drivers, recruits them, takes them under his wings, and "polishes" them until they shine in the top class of motorsport. Alex Albon was one of his protégés, and Esteban Ocon and George Russell made the leap from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula ONE Team’s junior programme to Formula One under his guidance.

Driver and Trainer shaking hands
Driver and Trainer shaking hands

The next F1 World Champions


Exklusive content for members

It is a long way that leads to the podium of a Formula One race. Gwen Lagrue knows this better than many other people. Tn the Private Lounge, the , In motorsport, victories are achieved only with an outstanding team. And with the best drivers. But how do you find and develop them? How can you lead them to the top? Gwen Lagrue, Driver Development Advisor at the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula ONE Team, gives us a clue.
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Der Trainer umarmt den Kart-Fahrer

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