A long time Formula 1 employee, Permane started as a test electronics engineer for the Benetton team in 1989, before graduating to become a race engineer in both their Benetton and Renault guises, working with Jean Alesi, Jarno Trulli and Giancarlo Fisichella. In 2007, he became chief race engineer at Renault, before holding senior roles as the team became Lotus, then Renault again and then Alpine, before leaving in 2023 after nearly a quarter-of-a-century at Enstone. He joined Racing Bulls in 2024 as racing director, becoming team principal in 2025 when Laurent Mekies moved over to Red Bull as team principal.

Biography last updated 16 Dec 2025