Eric Boullier reflects on Räikkönen’s departure to Ferrari

The successive announcements of Felipe Massa’s departure last night and Kimi Räikkönen’s arrival at Ferrari in the early afternoon did not surprise many people. Nevertheless, they leave Team Lotus with a sense of emptiness due to the upcoming departure of the leading figure of the Enstone team for the past two seasons. Eric Boullier, director of Lotus F1, discussed this departure with our colleagues from RMC.

The Frenchman is obviously not surprised by Iceman’s choice: “We were closely following this matter and we sensed his desire as our discussions progressed. I understand and respect his decision. He is not leaving just anywhere since he’s signing with Ferrari, a great institution,” he declared to Antoine Arlot, the radio’s special envoy at the Grand Prix. “It’s the end of his career, he only signed for two seasons, maybe he wants to finish on a big challenge. We must not forget that two years ago, no one gave much for our partnership. We took the risk, and it was a great adventure. It’s the end of a story; we’ll write a new one starting next year.”

A communication marked by respect and understanding from Eric Boullier, which seems to contrast with the very media-focused reaction of the team on its official Twitter account, associating the message “So Kimi is going to Ferrari in 2014; it hurts a little…” with a very particular animal image. On Canal+ Sport, the director of Lotus nevertheless wanted to put this reaction into perspective: “The communications department did an exceptional job around Kimi, it was a partnership. It’s just the end of a story, and perhaps they hoped to extend it further.”

So #Kimi is off to #Ferrari for 2014; it hurts a little bit… #F1 #Räikkönen pic.twitter.com/HkFhWvqpTo

— Lotus F1 Team (@Lotus_F1Team) September 11, /f1/actualite/16171-officiel-felipe-massa-quitte-ferrari.html

On the reasons that led the Finn to not continue the adventure in black and gold, Eric Boullier refutes the purely economic aspect, particularly the delays in the driver’s payment: « There is not only the financial aspect, there is also his reflection on the end of his career, even if he will certainly be better paid at Ferrari. I think there’s also a touch of passion, a desire to end his career at Ferrari. And then there’s also the ego of the drivers. I imagine he wishes to measure himself against Alonso on equal terms.

For the end of the season, the relationship between Kimi Räikkönen and the Lotus team will inevitably be slightly different: « We are gentlemen, professionals. We will work together until the end of the season. The only thing that will change is that we won’t talk to him at all about what we’re preparing for 2014. »

As a leader, the Frenchman must look to the future, and the replacement hasn’t been fully identified yet: « We shouldn’t go too fast, we’re activating plan B. We are the only major team with an available seat, so naturally, it’s of interest to many people. » Is plan B named Nico Hülkenberg, who will not be a Sauber driver in 2014? « Of course [it’s an option], just like all the drivers who are available. Felipe Massa is also available, so he’s certainly on the list. These are drivers whose representatives have contacted us. » Pastor Maldonado could also be in the running.

A being leaves and everything is depopulated? Not really, Romain Grosjean seems well-positioned to keep his seat in 2014. For E. Boullier, the two years of the Geneva native alongside the 2007 world champion can be an asset, as it’s an opportunity for him to assert himself. He will have the chance to unite a team around him and prove on the track that he can be the leader of a team. It’s an opportunity to seize. One condition, however, is to show his best side in the remaining races: He must finish the championship well. It’s up to him to do everything to unite the team and position himself as a potential leader.