Formula One constructor McLaren have appointed former Lotus team principal Eric Boullier as their new racing director ahead of the 2014 season.
It’s another nail in the coffin for Martin Whitmarsh’s future at the team, with the ex-principal failing to report to work since Ron Dennis was reinstated as chairman on 16 January.
Dennis however was delighted to welcome Frenchman to McLaren and claimed Boullier was “an integral part of a senior management restructure within McLaren racing”.
The 40 year-old, who left F1 rivals Lotus last week, responded that his new role was “a privilege and a wonderful opportunity”.
Boullier arrived at Lotus back in 2010, helping the financially-stricken side through a turbulent four seasons in F1, with the pick of the bunch being the last campaign after steering the Oxfordshire-based side to fourth in the Constructors Championship.
However his new task at McLaren is to run the team at the race track, hoping to transform driving duo Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen into title contenders this term.
Dennis wants the Woking-based team to return to winning ways with Grand Prix victories and the team pushing for World Championships after a disappointing fifth-place finish in 2013.
It was McLaren’s worst season in the motorsport since 1980, with Button and former partner Sergio Perez failing to secure a single podium finish throughout the 19-race calendar.
A statement on behalf of the Formula One constructor described Boullier as “one of the most capable trackside leaders in F1”.
Boss Dennis, who recaptured control of McLaren earlier in the New Year, is still undecided on Whitmarsh’s role at the team after numerous attempts to remove him as team principal in the past.
It is understood that Whitmarsh will be offered another role at McLaren in the near future, but is reportedly also on Lotus’ radar as Boullier’s replacement.
By Dan Church
@DJChurch94
Image provided by lookingspiffy via Flickr