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Boullier named McLaren's racing director

ESPN Staff
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McLaren has confirmed ex-Lotus team principal Eric Boullier will join its team as racing director on February 3.

Boullier will report to a new but yet-to-be-appointed CEO, who will then report directly to Ron Dennis at the top of the management structure. Ex-McLaren team principal and CEO Martin Whitmarsh was not mentioned and COO Jonathan Neale will take over the role of CEO in the interim.

"First of all, I regard this appointment as an honour, a privilege and a wonderful opportunity," Boullier said. "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.

ESPN Comment

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  • Eric Boullier's arrival at McLaren underlines the change in philosophy at the team now Ron Dennis is back in charge. The ex-Lotus boss is a pure racer and his new role as racing director means he will be able to focus on what he does best. For years Martin Whitmarsh was the friendly face of McLaren and often an ambassador for F1 as he headed up the Formula One Teams Association and spoke eloquently about being a "good citizen" of the sport. Boullier is likely to be focused solely on what's best for his team, a role he proved he is very capable of (and more) at Lotus. Above him a new CEO will be appointed to report to Dennis and it will be interesting to see exactly what that role involves (now the team principal role appears to have gone missing with Whitmarsh) and who is brought in to tackle it.

"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."

Dennis said bringing Boullier in was part of a wider change in philosophy in the way McLaren works.

"Eric's appointment is an integral part of a senior management restructure within McLaren Racing," he said. "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."

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