McLaren signs ex-Lotus F1 boss Eric Boullier as racing director

The Frenchman quit Lotus last week as he closed in on a switch to McLaren, which is undergoing a restructuring under new Group CEO Ron Dennis.

It had been expected that Boullier would take the team principal role, but McLaren now looks set to implement a structure where there is no straight team boss.

Instead, Boullier will report to the CEO of McLaren Racing. A decision on who will take that role has not yet been taken, but is being temporarily filled by managing director Jonathan Neale.

Dennis said that he hoped the new structure would be a big help in allowing McLaren to recover its form.

"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," said Dennis.

"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."

Boullier, who helped maintain Lotus as a competitive force in F1 despite its financial challenges, said he was excited about his new role.

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

It is unclear how long it will take for McLaren to fill the McLaren Racing CEO role, but it is possible that a high profile figure like Ross Brawn could still take that position in the longer term.