Eric Boullier leaves Lotus, McLaren possibly for Boullier?

On Friday morning (24/1/13) it was announce that Lotus F1 Team Principal Eric Boullier has departed from his role as Team Principal of the team with immediate effect. Team owner and co-chairman Gérard Lopez will step into the position ahead of the 2014 season.

Boullier, who has guided Lotus to fourth position for the past two seasons, including two race wins for Kimi Räikkönen at his time at Lotus.



So here's the thing, I don't blame Eric Boullier leaving Lotus with the news that Lotus are around £120 million in debt (£80 million owned by Genni, the owners of the Lotus F1 Team), big Technical people leaving the team from last season, which includes former Technical Director James Allison leaving to Ferrari. And the big one of Kimi Räikkönen leaving the team to move to Ferrari this season, which includes not paying Räikkönen for his last season at Lotus, which is rumoured around £16 million.

Also, the team will not at next weeks four day test at Jerez, to test the new Lotus E22. Instead the new Lotus E22 will be ready for the second test at Bahrain in the middle of February.

Now, that Eric Boullier has left Lotus, he has been tipped to join McLaren. The development comes amid intense speculation over McLaren's future Formula 1 plans. With Ron Dennis announcing his return as group CEO at the end of last week and making clear that there will be organisational changes in the coming months, Martin Whitmarsh is expected to be relieved of his Team Principal duties and replace by Eric Boullier instead.



Some big question marks ahead for Lotus this season, are they going to be competitive enough to fight in the top four of the constructors championship this season? are we going to see the team at the start of the season? are we going to even see the team at the last race of the season? Who knows.

End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.