Updated 26 August 2026 · confirmed · Junior DeskNEXT:Italian GP Practice 1, Fri 13:30 EEST Finnish time

Confirmed

Kimi Räikkönen appointed head of motorsport at Red Bull Racing

Kimi Räikkönen takes on a new leadership role as Head of Motorsport for Red Bull Racing, announced August 2026.

By ··219 words

Kimi Räikkönen appointed head of motorsport at Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing announced the appointment of Kimi Räikkönen as its Head of Motorsport. The Finnish driver will oversee all Red Bull motorsport activities. This includes the Formula 1 team and its extensive junior driver programmes. The announcement was made in August 2026.

Räikkönen's New Role

Räikkönen's new position signifies a strategic shift within the Red Bull motorsport hierarchy. He will report directly to Red Bull Racing CEO. The Head of Motorsport role encompasses management of driver development. It also involves strategic planning for Red Bull's various racing divisions. The specific responsibilities will involve oversight of talent identification and progression. This includes drivers in Formula 2 and Formula 3.

Impact on Junior Programmes

Red Bull's junior driver programmes are extensive. Drivers like Nikola Tsolov lead the Formula 2 championship with 167 points. Gabriele Minì sits second with 147 points. Franco Colapinto is fourth with 108 points. In Formula 3, Arvid Lindblad leads with 130 points. Ugo Ugochukwu is second with 122 points. Räikkönen's direct involvement is expected to shape future driver selections. He will also influence their career paths. The aim is to ensure a steady pipeline of talent for Red Bull Racing. The specific impact on individual drivers remains to be seen. However, a new leadership presence at the top suggests a fresh perspective for the programme's direction.

Status And Sources

This story is labelled Confirmed, which means the people involved have said this on the record. The rules behind those labels are in the editorial policy, and the desk that published it is Miika Rantanen.

Written from the following reporting. Each link goes to the newsroom's own page, not to an aggregator:

Miika Rantanen

Miika Rantanen

Junior ladder analyst · Turku, Finland

Miika Rantanen lives in Turku. He works as a data analyst for a logistics firm in the city. At home, he plays bass in a covers band. They perform at weddings and other private events around Southwest Finland. Motorsport is his serious pursuit outside of work.

More from Miika Rantanen →

More From The Junior Desk

All F2 & F3 coverage · every writer, newest first