Eric Rene Boullier French racing engineer and manager, since 2010 - head of the Formula 1 Lotus Renault GP team, vice-president of the Formula 1 Teams Association (FOTA). Country: France

Biography of Eric Boullier

Eric Boullier is a French racing engineer and manager, currently serving as the team principal of the Lotus Renault GP Formula 1 team. He has been with the team since 2010 and is also the vice president of the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA).

In an interview with the official Formula 1 website, Boullier discussed the challenges faced by the Lotus Renault GP team in the 2011 season and their plans for the future. He explained that the team's innovative exhaust system did not work well on tracks with slow corners, causing difficulties for the team in races held in Monaco, Budapest, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. Despite these challenges, Boullier believes that the team has shown good performance on certain tracks.

Boullier took a risk by implementing the innovative exhaust system and acknowledged that they have learned valuable lessons from the experience. He emphasized the importance of finding a balance between innovation and reliability in future car designs.

When asked about the team's drivers, Boullier expressed satisfaction with Bruno Senna's performance and his ability to meet expectations. He also mentioned Romain Grosjean as part of the team's future plans, stating that Grosjean has shown talent and has the potential to achieve higher results.

Boullier revealed that the team's goal is to have two high-profile drivers in the future and to compete with other top teams. He discussed the situation with Robert Kubica, who suffered a severe injury and is currently recovering. Boullier expressed his commitment to giving Kubica a chance to return to racing, but also emphasized the need for a backup plan in case his recovery does not go as planned.

Regarding the team's engine supplier, Boullier confirmed that they will continue to use Renault engines in the 2012 season. He clarified that the choice of drivers is not influenced by the engine supplier.

In conclusion, Boullier described the 2011 season as a huge disappointment for the team but expressed optimism about turning the experience into something positive for the future. He also hinted at upcoming changes for the team, including a new name and long-term strategy.

Overall, Eric Boullier is known for his innovative approach to racing and his commitment to building a competitive team. He continues to work towards achieving success in Formula 1 and is focused on creating a bright future for the Lotus Renault GP team.