McLaren have officially announced the appointment of former Lotus F1 team boss Eric Boullier as their new team Racing Director. The role will eventually report to a newly created role of CEO of McLaren racing. Until that time, Boullier will report to Jonathan Neale.
Eric Boullier said:
“First of all, I regard this appointment as an honour, a privilege and a wonderful opportunity.
“The McLaren Racing workforce and the facilities at the McLaren Technology Centre are world-class, and I’m hugely excited about the prospect of joining such an outstanding team.
“I’m both eager and determined to play an active part, working alongside McLaren Racing’s other senior managers and directors, within a new operational structure, to bring about the changes that will deliver success.
“Last, I want to take this opportunity to assure the McLaren Racing workforce that I’m utterly determined to match their famous passion and commitment to win.”
Ron Dennis said:
“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.
“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.”
As Ron Mentioned, the new CEO role has yet to be filled and speculation is that possibly Ross Brawn might be connected with that role. The CEO will report directly to Ron Dennis and be responsible for the racing team. It is a role Brawn is fully qualified for and would be a nice tie-in with Honda returning to Formula 1 as an engine supplier for McLaren.
Brawn has a long history with Honda having ran their F1 team and eventually purchasing their assets when the Japanese car maker decided to leave the sport at the end of 2009.
Eric is one of the most capable trackside leaders in Formula 1. He has played the central role in Lotus F1 Team’s recent successes, and brings with him extensive single-seater motorsport experience, having worked in senior positions in World Series by Nissan and A1 Grand Prix before moving up to Formula 1.
