McLaren have named former Lotus team principal Eric Boullier their new racing director, signalling the departure of previous chief Martin Whitmarsh.

Whitmarsh - long since under pressure at the Woking-based team - had not been present for duty since Ron Dennis swept back into power of the team on January 16th, and many rightly assumed his days at the team were numbered.

Chairman Dennis revealed the appointment, which he claimed was "an integral part of a senior management restructure within McLaren Racing.

"Boullier is one of the most capable trackside leaders in F1", he continued.

The Frenchman, who oversaw a fruitful period with Lotus - battling against cash flow problems to seal fourth in the 2013 Constructors' Championship - is the man charged with restoring McLaren to their rightful place atop the grid.

The team of Jenson Button and Sergio Perez slumped through last season, which was McLaren's worst since 1980, as they failed to return a single podium finish.

Boullier will run the McLaren team at the race tracks, with Dennis still yet to announce a new team CEO, with Ross Brawn heavily linked with a senior management position.

Dennis, who stepped down as McLaren team principal ahead of the 2009 season, was given control of the F1 team again this month after successfully pulling off a boardroom coup.

Until then, Dennis had no role in the F1 operation, but had several times tried to remove Whitmarsh as team principal over the last two years.

Whitmarsh certainly isn't short of options for what next, with the Lotus team principal's job on the table, as well as a potential role in the restructuring of McLaren.

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Dan Smith
Sports journalism, radio presenter for 103.9 Voice FM and general news bloke, trying to make my way in the working world. Anyone want to pay me to write for them? Have pen, will travel!