Renault are starting a new chapter in 2010 with a new team boss
Renault have picked Frenchman Eric Boullier as their new team principal to replace Flavio Briatore.
Boullier, 36, was formerly the managing director of French team DAMS, a leading force in the GP2 feeder category.
He was introduced to personnel at the Renault team's Oxfordshire base on Tuesday by new team owner Gerard Lopez.
Briatore left Renault in September in the wake of the scandal over the team's attempts to fix the outcome of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
Briatore was found guilty of asking Nelson Piquet Jr to crash deliberately to aid team-mate Fernando Alonso's chances of winning.
Technical director Bob Bell was named acting team principal for the final four races of the season following Briatore's departure, but he has now returned to his former role.
BBC Sport understands Lopez, whose Genii Capital company has bought 75% of the Renault F1 team, wanted to reassure the team that he is serious about them being a leading force in F1, and that they have long-term plans to achieve that aim.
606: DEBATE
Tell us what you think of Renault's decision
Lopez also met with lead driver Robert Kubica, who was signed to replace double world champion Alonso, who has moved to Ferrari.
Kubica's manager Daniele Morelli has told BBC Sport that the Pole wants some reassurances about the future of the Renault team before committing to drive for them in 2010.
Boullier, an engineer by trade who has no previous experience in F1, was not willing to confirm his appointment when BBC Sport contacted him on Wednesday.
"There are some discussions, but it is definitely still pending further discussion," he said. "It's one possibility."
Boullier knows Lopez through DAMS's contacts with the Luxembourg businessman's driver management company Gravity.
Boullier left DAMS at the end of 2008 and has worked for Genii's driver management business for the last year.
No comments:
Post a Comment