Olivier Quesnel, the former Citroen and Peugeot world rally boss, has leapt into pole position to become Lotus' new team boss. Following Eric Boullier's switch to McLaren, the great British team's chief Martin Whitmarsh was most strongly linked with the top job at Enstone.
But media reports suggest Briton Whitmarsh's candidature was in fact strongly tied to talks with a major potential sponsor, believed to be Sony. It appears those talks may have stalled, denting Whitmarsh's chances and, according to France's L'Equipe as well as RMC, triggering strong rumours Frenchman Quesnel, 64, is now Lotus team owner and acting team boss Gerard Lopez's top choice. RMC said Lopez confirmed Quesnel's candidature.
But the report also said there are other names on a shortlist, with Quesnel's at the top, and his prospects boosted by his links to FIA president Jean Todt. Todt's son is Nicolas, who is new Lotus driver Pastor Maldonado's manager. "Lopez and Quesnel have already met to discuss the topic (and) a contract proposal was made," RMC said, adding however that some at Lotus are sceptical due to Quesnel's advancing years, and his F1 inexperience.
Meanwhile, having sat out the first official test at Jerez, Lotus' delayed new E22 finally made its track debut at the same Spanish circuit last Friday. Lotus kicked off the test by 'tweeting' a photo of the E22's now-famous double-pronged nose, and in the background a magazine with the headline 'Red Bull crisis' could be clearly seen. However, while the team did not divulge details of Maldonado's maiden run, rumours indicate the double-nosed car, powered by the troubled Renault power unit, managed only a single lap.
Meanwhile, Lotus deleted an offending Twitter post and apologised after the team heralded the start of the winter olympics at Sochi with a photo depicting two men kissing. Homosexuality is a highly sensitive topic in Russia, which will host its inaugural grand prix at Sochi later this year.
Lotus also has a new sponsor and co-owner in the form of Yota Devices, with the team saying on Twitter: "We would like to sincerely apologise for an unauthorised message ... and will ensure this cannot happen again". (GMM)
Quesnel leaps into pole position for Lotus' team boss role
- Published on 10 Feb 2014 12:03
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
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Spain
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Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
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10 - Apr 12
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Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
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Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
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Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Driver profile
- Team Renault
- Points 27
- Podiums 0
- Grand Prix 19
- Country VE
- Date of b. Mar 9 1985 (41)
- Place of b. Maracay, Aragua, VE
- Weight 68 kg
- Length 1.73 m
- 27,547 comments on Renault
9 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Pastor Maldonado
Team profile
- Team name Renault
- Base Enstone, France
- Fernando Alonso 1
- Daniel Ricciardo 3
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 7
- Romain Grosjean 8
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Jenson Button 15
- Kevin Magnussen 20
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Jolyon Palmer 30
- Esteban Ocon 31
- Carlos Sainz jr 55
- 236,941 comments on Renault
- 26 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Renault
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