F1 veteran reveals 'shock' at surprise Racing Bulls promotion

Alan Permane has reflected on his reaction to being elevated to team principal of Racing Bulls, detailing how he experienced "some shock, some pride" upon learning the news. 

Former boss Laurent Mekies moved to Red Bull to replace the departing Christian Horner, becoming only the second person to lead the Milton Keynes-based squad since it joined F1 in 2005.

That opened the door for Permane, who will step into the Frenchman's shoes alongside CEO Peter Bayer. The 58-year-old confirmed Mekies recommended him for the role, having spent the past 18 months as sporting director at the Faenza outfit.

"I had many reactions to the news, some shock, some pride," the Briton told Autosport.  "It's amazing that they feel I'm capable and have the potential to lead this team.

"I deeply thank the Red Bull Austria senior management, Oliver Mintzlaff and Helmut Marko, and, of course, Laurent for recommending me, pushing me forward, his belief in me as well.

However, Permane - who has worked in F1 since 1989, spending the majority of that time with Team Enstone as it has progressed through various guises, from Benetton to Renault to Lotus to Alpine - is not seeking to immediately stamp his mark on the team, instead preferring to help Racing Bulls continue on its current path.

"Well, the plan of action is to keep things as they are," he explained. "Laurent and Peter have done a fantastic job with this team over the last 18 months, leading to a surge in competitiveness. And my plan is to keep that running, keep the team on the same trajectory as it's been on.

"It's a great team and I know that the senior Red Bull guys are extremely happy with the way the team is being run. They're very happy with our competitiveness. The target is to be top of the midfield, and we are certainly in a battle for that, and we'll continue that fight throughout this year."

A 'decent grounding'

Now overseeing the Anglo-Italian squad's 700 staff, Permane will have to split his time between the team's two bases.

"From my side, it's certainly going to mean some more travel," he said. "I'm predominantly based in Milton Keynes. In my previous role as racing director, I did spend some time in Italy, but it will no doubt mean I will split my time between the two sites. Probably a little bit more on the Faenza side, where that larger part of the team is."

The engineer turned sporting director turned team principal believes his most recent role holds him in good stead to assume the mantle left by Mekies.

"I think sporting director gives you a decent grounding," Permane reflected. "It's a much bigger role, of course.

"As a sporting director, you manage a group of 60 or 70 people. You sit on FIA committees. You work with the FIA, with stewards, with penalties and protests and things like that. So, you have a very good grounding and basis to take this job on, but it's of course a much bigger role.

"There will be many things that are new, but I'm very ready to take it on, and then I'm confident I'll do a good job."