France: McLaren’s racing director Eric Boullier has quit the team with Gil de Ferran appointed sporting director.
The team have reacted after a disappointing start to 2018 following their switch from Honda power to Renault.
Confirming Boullier’s departure, team chief Zak Brown said the causes of McLaren’s struggles “are systemic and structural, which require major change from within”.
As part of a radical restructure, former racing driver de Ferran will take up a new role of sporting director while Andrea Stella, who joined McLaren from Ferrari alongside Fernando Alonso, will be performance director.
Stella will be responsible for trackside operations with De Ferran tasked with maximising ‘the effectiveness of the team’s racing package’.
In a statement, McLaren said: ‘These changes are the beginning of a comprehensive programme of positive changes to the technical leadership of McLaren’s racing organisation’.
McLaren are currently sixth in the Constructors’ Championship with 44 points – 200 fewer than leaders Ferrari – despite the tenacious brilliance of star driver Alonso.
Boullier has been under increasing pressure following the team’s failure to make a breakthrough towards the elite despite claims last year they possessed the best chassis on the grid.
“I am very proud to have worked with such a brilliant team over the past four years, but I recognise now is the right time for me to step down,” said the Frenchman.
Boullier leaves McLaren after four-and-a-half years at Woking and is the second significant management switch at the team so far this season.
Earlier this year, Tim Goss stepped down as the team’s chief technical officer as the shortcomings of their MCL33 car become clear.
While Red Bull have won three races this term armed with the same Renault engine, McLaren failed to score in the three races before Sunday’s Austrian GP when Alonso finished eighth.
“The performance of the MCL33 in 2018 has not met the expectations of anyone at McLaren, especially our loyal fans,” acknowledged Brown.
