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Rumour: Eric Boullier to step down at Lotus?


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#1 emmanuelrubi

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 16:17

Bianca Galrloff (Sport Bild) on his twitter account post this:

 

Bianca Garloff ‏@bgarloff

(1/X) Just heard that @eboullier might have resigned from his job as @Lotus_F1Team team principal. He does not want to be responsible…

 

 

(2/X) ... for the chaos there any more. Is it true, @eboullier and @Lotus_F1Team? Source comes from Renault family…

 

http://www.f1passion...ni-dalla-lotus/

 

This is all yet to confirm which give space to doubts but if he step down who do you think might get his place Nicolas Maduro or the bird that talk to him as Hugo Chavez?, i really don't like the fact that Lotus is having such a hard time and now I'm starting to think they will be fighting at the midfield, they don't have an engine deal yet, quantum fiasco, PDSVA gave money but only for dev not for paying debts and they lost Kimi & Allison which one gave the right feedback and the other the right design to produce such a great car in the past years, now who know i don't think they will be doing that great.

 

 

c6f8aff7c114efe028c384254c9afcd0_normal.

 



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#2 sennafan24

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 16:19

Maybe put a ? on thread title man, until its confirmed 

 

Lotus sounds like a bit of a shambles at the moment, maybe Hulk going back to F.I was not that bad for him,



#3 dau

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 16:21

That's a rumour. 



#4 emmanuelrubi

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 16:21

Maybe put a ? on thread title man, until its confirmed 

 

Lotus sounds like a bit of a shambles at the moment, maybe Hulk going back to F.I was not that bad for him,

 

My bad I'm relatively new to this forum sorry.



#5 SophieB

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 16:22

Title edited.

#6 emmanuelrubi

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 16:24

Title edited.

 

Thank you Sophie !



#7 sennafan24

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 16:27

My bad I'm relatively new to this forum sorry.

No need to say sorry, we all do it

 

Anyway, welcome, your profile pic made me chuckle   :up:


Edited by sennafan24, 14 December 2013 - 16:28.


#8 Jackmancer

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 16:28

Would be weird I think - Boullier has been a class act.



#9 emmanuelrubi

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 16:32

No need to say sorry, we all do it

 

Anyway, welcome, your profile pic made me chuckle   :up:

 

Thank you ! haha i had the opportunity to do that pic, had to take it haha.

 

And yeah you are right Hulk going back its not that bad, I'm confident that if they develop a proper car they will be fighting for 5th vs Lotus of maybe 4th who knows at least for the first half of the season.



#10 InSearchOfThe

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 16:34

 If EB leaves then RG no longer has a safety net. And the pressure mounts............



#11 Cyanide

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 16:50

The ship sinks deeper..



#12 Wander

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 17:04

I wouldn't be surprised. I think Eric might suspect the team falling down the order and doesn't be a part of it.



#13 seahawk

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 17:06

If that is true not getting the Lotus seat must be a blessing for some drivers.



#14 emmanuelrubi

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 17:13

If that is true not getting the Lotus seat must be a blessing for some drivers.

 

Or maybe they saw it coming. 



#15 emmanuelrubi

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 17:16

I dont like to put the blame on him but if Pastor Maldonado is the reason Eric Boullier is resigning its incredible how a pay driver can ruin the career of not one driver (Hulkenberg) but two (Grosjean) now that his manager is no longer the team principal, this will make Grosjean being under a lot of pressure and when he is in pressure he tends to crash therefore Pastor Maldonado would have ruined Grosjean future in F1



#16 sennafan24

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 17:16

If that is true not getting the Lotus seat must be a blessing for some drivers.

There was a rumor I heard that Pastor wanted to go to F.I and not Lotus, so maybe



#17 apoka

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 17:20

Boullier publicly supported signing Hulkenberg. After Maldonado was signed, who was not his favorite, I wrote that I expect trouble.

 

Not sure whether this rumor is true though, so let's wait a bit ...



#18 emmanuelrubi

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 17:22

Maybe if its true that Eric Boullier resigns from Lotus he could be on the Scuderia in the future if Stefano Domenicali don't improve ferrari position.



#19 ExFlagMan

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 17:31

The ship sinks deeper..

They seem to have been rearranging the deckchairs for long enough...

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#20 swerved

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 17:33

Tweet from Rowlinson

 

 

So is @eboullier about to join @clubforce? A little bird tells me yes. The same little bird who placed @SChecoPerez with @clubforce... #F1


#21 emmanuelrubi

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 17:40

 

Tweet from Rowlinson

 

 

So is @eboullier about to join @clubforce? A little bird tells me yes. The same little bird who placed @SChecoPerez with @clubforce... #F1

 

 

Damn Force India is looking really strong for 2014 many Sauber, Williams & Lotus technicians joined them during the last few weeks, got a strong driver lineup, and now EB.

 

Im starting to feel bad for Grosjean, not so much for Mr. I pay I Crash.



#22 FullThrottleF1

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 17:44

 

Tweet from Rowlinson

 

 

So is @eboullier about to join @clubforce? A little bird tells me yes. The same little bird who placed @SChecoPerez with @clubforce... #F1

 

 

Well, Force India do seem to be making leaps and bounds!



#23 swerved

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 17:47

Well, Force India do seem to be making leaps and bounds!

 

We should remember they're only rumours but the more thought you give it the more sense it makes, I suppose a lot might depend on whether FI is as financially secure as we're led to believe, I can see the attraction from EB's point of view though if it is true.



#24 bogi

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 17:47

Only thing left to do is change the name.



#25 emmanuelrubi

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 17:49

We should remember they're only rumours but the more thought you give it the more sense it makes, I suppose a lot might depend on whether FI is as financially secure as we're led to believe, I can see the attraction from EB's point of view though if it is true.

 

Well with the injection of 15M from Perez plus the money they already had its a viable chance but there is certainly one thing here that has the complete reason and it is this guy.

 

Only thing left to do is change the name.



#26 Jackmancer

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 18:09

After the silly season we've had (are having), I believe everything. Expecting to see Boullier at Force India in 2014.



#27 P0inters

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 18:11

Wow , looking really likely , especially after Mallya 's comments about being at the front.


Edited by P0inters, 14 December 2013 - 18:12.


#28 emmanuelrubi

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 18:20

Force India the way i see it in 2014 i expect them to be doing what Lotus did in 2013



#29 Module

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 18:23

Boullier must have all the motivation in the world to escape Lotus. After having to stand by Ijaz, explain Quantum and listen to false promises from the owners he has against his will had to give face to Lotus financial decline with no fault of his own. Some might say that he spent too much but the budget is laid down by owners, not him, and he has done a tremendous job with it and kept the team relatively competitive eventhou the team seems to have been financially in freefall. I think he realy deserves a chance in a more stable enviroment.



#30 metz

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 18:35

Would be weird I think - Boullier has been a class act.

Whaaaaaaaaaaaat?



#31 DanardiF1

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 18:38

Only thing left to do is change the name.

 

Back to Jordan please.



#32 KavB

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 18:47

Boullier must have all the motivation in the world to escape Lotus. After having to stand by Ijaz, explain Quantum and listen to false promises from the owners he has against his will had to give face to Lotus financial decline with no fault of his own. Some might say that he spent too much but the budget is laid down by owners, not him, and he has done a tremendous job with it and kept the team relatively competitive eventhou the team seems to have been financially in freefall. I think he realy deserves a chance in a more stable enviroment.

:up:

 

I mistakenly thought he was no good during 2011 (mainly because of the way he spoke about Heidfeld I admit) but the guy has done a great job since 2010. He helped to motivate the team after a tough 2009 season on and off track, and the team have been competitive every season he has been there except for the latter half of 2011. He's always available to talk to the BBC and Sky which is great.

 

I think he would benefit Force India if he were to join. If he does leave because Lotus is a mess right now then I can't imagine they will be as strong as they have been which would be a shame.



#33 metz

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 19:24

He is lotus management.

He speaks for the team, and far too often.

He is responsible for the mass exodus of talent.

He is an awful people manager, drivers and staff.

He is responsible for what gets paid and what doesn't.

He made the decision to spend beyond their budget.

He has placed the team in the bad position it is.

 

Now some of you wish him on Force India, which has been run very well?

Some people here have real short memories.



#34 Timstr11

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 19:34

He is lotus management.

He speaks for the team, and far too often.

He is responsible for the mass exodus of talent.

He is an awful people manager, drivers and staff.

He is responsible for what gets paid and what doesn't.

He made the decision to spend beyond their budget.

He has placed the team in the bad position it is.

 

Now some of you wish him on Force India, which has been run very well?

Some people here have real short memories.

You're completely dismissing the role of Gerard Lopez who is chairman of Lotus and founding member of Genii Capital which fully owns Lotus.

In terms of running the F1 team Boullier did ok. It's the owners who made a total mess of the finances.


Edited by Timstr11, 14 December 2013 - 19:35.


#35 Timstr11

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 19:43

 

In the Lotus headquarters in Enstone there currently is merciless power struggle  Investor Andrew Ruhan, the team owners Genii Capital is said to have lended 60 million euros, and he apparently wants to get rid of Gerard Lopez and Eric Lux in order to sell the team to get his money back.

http://www.motorspor...s-13121409.html


Edited by Timstr11, 14 December 2013 - 19:45.


#36 emmanuelrubi

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 19:52

Before even hiring Eric Boullier any team should be more concerned about hiring Lotus PR staff those guys are awesome & super funny.



#37 P0inters

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 19:55

He did the best job for his budget imo. Up there with Christian Horner (however much I dislike him ).

Lotus is going to be a real shambles next year.



#38 Module

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 19:59

He is lotus management.

He speaks for the team, and far too often.

He is responsible for the mass exodus of talent.

He is an awful people manager, drivers and staff.

He is responsible for what gets paid and what doesn't.

He made the decision to spend beyond their budget.

He has placed the team in the bad position it is.

 

Now some of you wish him on Force India, which has been run very well?

Some people here have real short memories.

 

1. Yes he is Lotus management, probably comparable to a CEO.

 

2. I think he has spoken well for the team and tried to keep up a positive feeling, so done his job well. He's never backed out and has calmed down a lot of issues with his reasoning.

 

3. The financial situation is probably reason for the mass exodus. That they don't have a engine for next year, that their future seems unsecure.

 

4. Kimi said he's a friend to Sky Italy just before he decided to leave and I haven't seen a single rumour or article about him being a bad people manager.. In fact Kimi said he wanted to stay if it wasn't for financial issues. Also Grosjean owes him a lot.

 

5. CFO decides what is being paid if there are issues with payments.

 

6. How do you know he spent beyond their budget? In that case Genii could sue him. There is a big difference between spending more money than they have and beyond the budget. The budget is given by the owners to him and his job is to make the maximum of it. If Genii gave him a budget too big hoping to attract money from for example Quantum it is their fault and not his, the point I made in my post. That the owners don't back up the budget they gave with additional funding is something out of his hands. Genii also is responsible for the main sponsoraquiring with their "partnershipmodel" so he has very limited possibilities to aquire additional funding.

 

7. He placed the team 4th and competitive the whole season.


Edited by Module, 14 December 2013 - 21:13.


#39 demet06

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 20:15

I have a lot of time for Eric Boullier. It seems he's been between a rock and a hard place, as they say in France. Good sense of humour in difficult times as the team seems to be disintegrating around him. Perhaps The Hulk/Maldonado was the last straw for him but we'll wait for confirmation. Hopefully we'll see him in the pitlane somewhere next year.



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#40 bourbon

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 20:30

Boullier is up and down, but I do remember "Big Mouth Boullier" all too well, costing him in 2011 and nearly in 2012 as well.  I think he's one of those 'once you get to know him' types, cuz from the outside looking in, he seems a bit of a loose canon.

 

However, I think the finances are beyond his control, hence he was not responsible for losing Alison, Kimi and the droves of engineers that fled from Lotus from the middle of the season onward.  They can't get any good people, supplies or an engine without money, so if EB were to also jump ship, it would be understandable - but bad for Lotus.  If Lotus subsequently do get off the ground, they need someone to look after their drivers with a strong hand.  One has a decreasing red mist problem and the other has a decreasing spacial awareness problem, requiring concentrated effort and guidance.  So it would behoove them to try to keep EB around, as he seems to be able to deal with that type of thing.



#41 swerved

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 20:49

He is lotus management.

He speaks for the team, and far too often.

He is responsible for the mass exodus of talent.

He is an awful people manager, drivers and staff.

He is responsible for what gets paid and what doesn't.

He made the decision to spend beyond their budget.

He has placed the team in the bad position it is.

 

Now some of you wish him on Force India, which has been run very well?

Some people here have real short memories.

 

 

Do you honestly believe he is responsible for all of those action ?

 

 

1/ He is.

 

2/ A part of his job as described in No 1.

 

3/ I would suggest, and with some certainty, that Lopez's failure to capitalise on their popularity and success, thereby restricting the budget to a point where salaries go unpaid is the greatest reason for staff leaving.

 

4/ Two years ago i might have agreed with you out of sheer ignorance, since then though imo he's shown himself to be a fair minded and appreciative TP, and he stuck by Grosjean when many wouldn't have, time has proven him to be somewhat correct in doing so.

 

5/ With respect i doubt you can be certain of who ultimately decides what gets paid and what doesn't, from what i'm led to believe he doesn't have quite the level of autonomy some may think.

 

6/ See No 5.

 

7/ Surely Lopez bears most of the responsibility for the bad position the team is in ? Were he not always waiting for the "right" type of sponsor there may have been sufficient income.

 

 

 

I'm not his greatest fan, far from it, but imo he's proved himself to be pretty capable, and i've heard several pundits etc praising the job he's done considering the pressure he's been under.



#42 EvanRainer

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 21:00

He is lotus management.

He speaks for the team, and far too often.

He is responsible for the mass exodus of talent.

He is an awful people manager, drivers and staff.

He is responsible for what gets paid and what doesn't.

He made the decision to spend beyond their budget.

He has placed the team in the bad position it is.

 

Now some of you wish him on Force India, which has been run very well?

Some people here have real short memories.

 

Care to explain how exactly he has done the things you accuse him of?



#43 JHSingo

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 21:10

He is lotus management.

He speaks for the team, and far too often.

He is responsible for the mass exodus of talent.

He is an awful people manager, drivers and staff.

He is responsible for what gets paid and what doesn't.

He made the decision to spend beyond their budget.

He has placed the team in the bad position it is.

 

Now some of you wish him on Force India, which has been run very well?

Some people here have real short memories.

 

And you know all this how? Are you a team insider who hasn't been paid on time or something? :lol:



#44 Romulan

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 21:23

My bad I'm relatively new to this forum sorry.

 

Actually, your punctuation was proper.  There are four types of sentences in the English language:

  • Declarative sentence [Ends with a period.]
  • Imperative sentence [Ends with a period or exclamation point.]
  • Interrogative sentence [Ends with a question mark.]
  • Exclamatory sentence [Ends with an exclamation point.]

"A declarative sentence simply makes a statement or expresses an opinion. In other words, it makes a declaration. This kind of sentence ends with a period."  Therefore, "Rumour: Eric Boullier to step down at Lotus" is a declarative sentence.

 

 Time4Writing.com


Edited by Romulan, 14 December 2013 - 21:37.


#45 charly0418

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 21:33

I was skeptical but after the Rowlinson tweet this might have some legs



#46 F.M.

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 22:41

Eric Boullier @eboullier
Dear Followers, I have never received any offers and I have not resigned from LF1. Thanks for your support

#47 RedBaron

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 22:43

Eric Boullier @eboullier
Dear Followers, I have never received any offers and I have not resigned from LF1. Thanks for your support

 

How did you beat me to that, he only tweeted it 30 seconds ago :)



#48 emmanuelrubi

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 22:51

well that tweet really kills the rest of my evening. anyway i like that guy.



#49 NexusIcon

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Posted 14 December 2013 - 23:15

Good news, IMO. He's got the experience there to hopefully steady the ship and push on. If they can only announce some kind of sponsorship or investment, aside from the PDVSA money, that'd cheer me up for Christmas.

I can see why he might not be everyone's cup of tea (as we say in England) but he remains a likeable chap, even under intense media pressure. I think he speaks the truth (as he believes it) but his hands are too often tied due to the nature of the organisation at Lotus. Gerard Lopez comes across as a fan as well as an owner but appears to be remote from the day to day operations and, even with today's information superhighway, communication takes time.

I followed Kimi to Lotus, as a Kimi fan, but I remain a Lotus fan going forward. I hope they can hang on to their 2012/2013 form in 2014 and even start to push on from there. The last thing they needed was more turmoil, especially at such a crucial time and at such a critical level.

#50 sheogorath

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Posted 15 December 2013 - 00:08

This rumour was started by that ****** Monsieur_f1