Nick Chester will be the new Technical Director at Lotus after the departure of James Allison, also announced today.
Allison, who has completed three stints with the team, the most recent starting in 2005 when they were Renault, has yet to reveal where he will be heading next – Ferrari and Williams were among the team predicted to be Allison’s destination.
The departure of Allison, and the inevitable change at the top of the Lotus technical department, could also be a factor in Kimi Raikkonen‘s decision on whether to stay with the team in 2014.
Nonetheless, team principal Eric Boullier welcomed Chester into his new role.
“We are pleased to announce Nick Chester as our next Technical Director”, he said. “Nick is well known to everyone at Enstone having been with the team for over twelve years. He is already directly involved with this and next year’s cars, ensuring a smooth transition which has been underway for some time.
“It’s an illustration of the strength and breadth of talent at Enstone that we can draw on personnel of the calibre of Nick and it’s something of an Enstone tradition for new Technical Directors to be promoted from within. He assumes his new position at a tremendously exciting time for the sport.
“The 2014 technical regulation changes present many challenges, while our current position of second place in both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ World Championships mean we cannot lose sight of this year’s development battle. Nick really has his work cut out, but we know he is more than capable of handling the tasks ahead.
“As a team and individually, we would all like to thank James Allison for his efforts during his three stints at Enstone and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
Chester was clearly delighted to be embarking on his new role, and is clearly looking forward to the challenge that the 2014 regulations will undoubtedly impose.
“I have worked at Enstone for over twelve years and am delighted to take on the role of Technical Director,” he said. “I am grateful to the management at Enstone for the faith they have in promoting me to this position.
“I am very aware of our need to keep pushing development of this year’s E21 whilst developing next year’s car to a set of very different regulations. There are some exciting times ahead for Enstone and I’m honoured to be part of it.”
