Eric Boullier has resigned from his role as the McLaren Formula 1 team’s racing director, with Gil de Ferran given a new position in a major management reshuffle.
McLaren targeted podiums in 2018 after splitting with Honda and joining Renault but has struggled with performance and missed development targets amid an aerodynamic problem on its car.
Boullier has faced mounting pressure in recent weeks as head of the racing operation and McLaren announced on Wednesday ahead of its home race at Silverstone that he had resigned.
McLaren has revealed a “simplified technical leadership team” in his place, which includes creating a new role of sporting director for Indianapolis 500 winner de Ferran.
“I am very proud to have worked with such a brilliant team over the past four years, but I recognise now is the right time for me to step down,” said Boullier.
“I want to wish everyone at McLaren the best for the remainder of the season and for the future.”
Other changes include McLaren chief operating officer Simon Roberts being put in charge of production, engineering and logistics and new performance director Andrea Stella being made responsible for trackside operations.
McLaren’s F1 CEO Zak Brown said the overhaul was the result of a disappointing start to 2018, which he claimed was the result of “system and structural” causes that “require major change from within”.
“The performance of the MCL33 in 2018 has not met the expectations of anyone at McLaren, especially our loyal fans,” said Brown.
“This is not the fault of the hundreds of committed and hard-working men and women at McLaren.
“With today’s announcement, we start to address those issues head on and take the first step on our road to recovery.
“I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the entire team to thank Eric for his service and contribution to McLaren and wish him well in his future endeavours.”
