Trade News: Red Bull sign ex-FIA chief and boss sacked with Otmar Szafnauer in sister team shake-up
In the latest major overhaul of the Red Bull F1 team, Visa Cash App RB, three new faces have been signed to support new team principal Laurent Mekies and CEO Peter Bayer.
Sister team Red Bull have confirmed the appointment of former Alpine sporting director Alan Permane as one of three key signings ahead of the new Formula 1 season.
Perman has been with the Enstone team for over 30 years. However, he was suddenly sacked last July after he and team principal Otmar Schaffnauer disagreed with Renault management over future goals.
But his time away from the F1 circuit was long. He has been appointed race director at Visa Cash App RB and will report directly to new team principal Laurent Mequies.
“I’m very excited to compete again with the Visa Cash App RB team after a few months off,” said Permane. “Through many years of experience, I know how professional, driven and competitive the people on this racing team are, and I can’t wait to see where that spirit takes the team in the future.”
He was one of three draftees announced by the team on Monday. Also joining us is Tim Goss. Tim Goss was the most recent technical director on board F1, but he mysteriously left a few weeks ago. His role was newly created. Goss will become the team’s chief technology officer and will begin his new role in October. He previously worked at McLaren for 28 years and shared Formula 1 titles with the likes of Ayrton Senna and Mika Hakkinen. He said: “I am delighted to join Visa Cash App RB at the start of a new era of competition. The team has great pride and heritage and already has outstanding people, including team leader Laurent Mekies and CTO Jody Egginton.” “We have exciting challenges ahead of us, but I think the team is well prepared to overcome them.”
The third and final new hire is aerodynamicist Guillaume Cattelani, who joins from Red Bull Technology. One of his key responsibilities is to set performance goals for the team and serve as New Era’s Deputy CTO, reporting to Chief Executive Officer Jody Egginton. He said: “I am very excited to have the opportunity to take the Visa Cash App RB team to the next level of competition. I look forward to working with Jody and all the other members of the technical team to build the car that moves. team. Take her to the top of the grid.”
Team boss Mekies said of his new addition: “We have a very strong and experienced team in our team and bringing in highly skilled people like Tim, Guillaume and Alan will enhance our capabilities and help us achieve the highest technical standards. The Visa Cash app pays the RB F1 team both at the factory and on the track.
