Boullier named McLaren Racing Director

As expected following his departure as team principal at Lotus, Eric Boullier has joined McLaren.

Lotus made the announcement last week, naming co-chairman Gerard Lopez as Boullier replacement as team principal of the Lotus Formula 1 team, sparking mass speculation over Boullier’s future at a time when McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh’s position at McLaren is under threat.

Boullier’s new position of Racing Director is not a move to become McLaren team principal however.

Martin Whitmarsh’s position as McLaren team principal appears to have been made redundant as a shake-up of McLaren’s management structure has seen a host of new roles created.

With new McLaren Racing Director Boullier working alongside newly appointed McLaren Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Neale, who switches from his previous role as McLaren Managing Director.

The pair along with other senior management staff will run the day-to-day operations of the team, but will ultimately answer to the Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Racing, a new role which is yet to be a appointed.

Whilst they in turn will answer to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the McLaren Group Ron Dennis.

The dramatic new management set up follows Ron Dennis seizing back control of the team two weeks ago.

‘Eric’s appointment is an integral part of a senior management restructure within McLaren Racing, I’ve already personally conveyed to the entire workforce of the McLaren Group, which includes McLaren Racing, the values, principles and mindset that I intend us all to adopt, going forward. My intention is that from now on everyone at McLaren Racing will understand their responsibilities and accountabilities, focusing on their specific areas of expertise, in keeping with those values, principles and mindset. Dennis told Sky Sports.

‘In due course we’ll announce the identity of McLaren Racing’s new Chief Executive Officer, who’ll report to me, and to whom Eric will report.

‘I’m firmly of the belief that, once McLaren Racing’s restructured senior management team has been assembled, together we’ll begin the march back to full competitiveness, quickly and professionally, harnessing the fantastic depth of talent that exists within our organisation.’

Speculation has already started linking former Mercedes Team Principal Ross Brawn with the position of McLaren Chief Executive Officer.