Formula 1: Lotus name Gerard Lopez as new team principal Eric Boullier has left his position as team principal of Lotus and been replaced by co-chairman Gerard Lopez. A source close to Boullier told BBC Sport the Frenchman would be joining Formula 1 rivals McLaren, where the future of current team principal Martin Whitmarsh is uncertain. "Lopez will combine his position on the board with the role of team principal with immediate effect," Lotus said. He will share chairman responsibilities with minor shareholder Andy Ruhan. The statement also said that Lotus will announce the arrival of new commercial partners and sponsors when it unveils its 2014 car, the E22, at the beginning of the first Bahrain pre-season test in February. Lopez added: "Lotus F1 Team has never stood still and we head into what promises to be an exciting 2014 season with an innovative new car, new partners and a new management structure at Enstone. Great things have been achieved over the past years and we need to continue this momentum.