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Eric Boullier quits lotus

Roar Guru
25th January, 2014
1

Lotus Team Principal Eric Boullier has stepped down from his role as head of the Enstone team effective immediately.

The shock news comes as Lotus are already set to miss the first pre-season test at Jerez in a week’s time.

Already on the back foot, Lotus now lose a vital part of team, who in a year which was filled with financial grief, almost single handedly held together the core in order for their drivers to compete.

Boullier, 40 is reportedly set to move to McLaren who unveiled their aggressive looking 2014 chassis last night.

Genii Capital boss and Lotus shareholder Gerard Lopez meanwhile will take control of the black and gold team, transitioning into Boullier’s position.

“Lotus F1 Team has never stood still and we head into what promises to be an exciting 2014 season with an innovative new car, new partners and a new management structure at Enstone.

“We thank Eric for all his hard work over the past four years and we are confident we can continue to fight as one of the top teams in Formula Oneover the seasons ahead,” Lopez said in a statement released by Lotus.

So McLaren have already put forward their intent to get back to their winning ways this year, with the re-appointment of Ron Dennis as CEO and poaching technical staff from other teams.

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But what now for Lotus?

Last year they lost their technical genius in James Allison to Ferrari, they lost their star driver in Kimi Raikkonen to Ferrari, they lost most of their money and now they lose their team principal.

In turn the Enstone team have brought Pastor Maldonado and the millions of euros that his PDVSA sponsorship will bring on board, which according to Lopez has secured the team financially.

But what about technically? That we will see come the E22’s launch in Bahrain February 19.

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