F1: Boullier Confirmed As Renault Boss

Formula 1

F1: Boullier Confirmed As Renault Boss

The Renault F1 team has finally confirmed officially that Eric Boullier is the new team principal...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted January 05, 2010 Balen (BEL)

Eric Boullier is the former boss of the GP2 team DAMS and France's A1 team, and the CEO of the Gravity Sport driver management company, with links to Enstone based Renault's new main owner Genii Capital. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

The Renault F1 team has finally confirmed officially that Eric Boullier is the new team principal. The 36-year-old Frenchman arrives as a direct result of the recent investment by the Genii Capital Group.

Boullier made his name as managing director of the DAMS GP2 team and boss of the French A1 GP franchise. He recently became head of Gravity Sports Management, which is also owned by Genii and manages a group of up and coming drivers. Ironically he thus follows Flavio Briatore as a Renault boss who is also in charge of a stable of youngsters.

In a team statement Boullier said: "I am incredibly proud to be joining the Renault F1 Team as team principal. Renault is one of the most famous and successful names in motorsport and I look forward to leading the team into the new season. In the past Renault has demonstrated that it is one of the top teams in Formula One and I am sure that with hard work and determination we can challenge at the front once again.

“When I started in the job it quickly became clear that the staff's morale had been affected by the end of the 2009 season and that the last few weeks had been quite challenging. However, the team is now very motivated thanks to the new philosophy that the Renault F1 Team wants to implement and, when it was presented at the factory shortly before Christmas, it was welcomed with applause. Everyone is now refreshed and ready for action.

“I will concentrate solely on the sporting and performance aspects. Bob Bell will oversee the Design Office, Production and the technical development of the car. We have already had a lot of discussions and we think in the same way. I think that we will work well together.”

Boullier says he intends to improve the organization.

“My mission is foremost to put the team back on track by concentrating on two main themes. One of my priorities will be to put in place an organization that flows and is efficient in order for Enstone to work in harmony.

“Then, for the performance, we must put in place an improved feedback process. It won't happen in two months, we know that, but it will need to be progressive and solid. Today we have all the means to reach this objective. The budget is fixed, 60 percent of the wind tunnel has been upgraded and our high-tech CFD center is now in full swing. So there's everything to play for.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 25th season as a racing journalist in 2009. Born in London, England, he saw his first F1 race at age 10 in 1976. He began freelancing for Autosport magazine in 1985 and was on the fulltime staff from 1987-92. He then went freelance again, initially spending two years in Japan before following the 1994 Champcar series from a base in Indianapolis. He has not missed a Grand Prix since Suzuka ‘94, a run that has extended to Abu Dhabi ’09. Adam has written books about Eddie Irvine, Piers Courage and Michael Schumacher and hosts a race preview show on Sirius XM. He has written about F1 for SPEEDtv.com since 2005.

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Adam Cooper

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