Former Citroen boss Quesnel weighing up offer to join Lotus F1 team

In the wake of the departure of team principal Eric Boullier to McLaren, Lotus owner Gerard Lopez was appointed as interim boss.

However, the Enstone-based outfit has been looking at bolstering its management structure over the longer term and wants to appoint someone to take control of day-to-day operations.

AUTOSPORT understands that approaches were made to a number of senior F1 figures in recent weeks, including Martin Whitmarsh and Ross Brawn, about a team principal role. But no candidate expressed a firm interest.

However, Quesnel is still weighing up the opportunity, which could result in him moving away from his current role as part of the management at sportscar team OAK Racing.

Quesnel was also Peugeot's sportscar boss until the French manufacturer ended its LMP1 programme.

If he accepts the role it is unclear if he would become team principal or take on another senior role like sporting or racing director.

One of Quesnel's main reservations, though, is his age because he is approaching the end of his working life.

"I can say honestly, I am 64 years old," Quesnel told AUTOSPORT. "I know a lot of people and some friends are telling me: 'You should do that, do that...'

"But it's not actually the way. It's true though that I know Gerard Lopez..."

When asked if he was actually interested in working in F1, Quesnel said: "It's a good question. I am working at OAK Racing."

Quesnel also revealed that he had been offered the team principal role previously by Lopez when he was still working in rallying, but declined.

"He offered me a job four years ago and I stayed at Peugeot-Citroen," he explained.