Lotus F1 Team
Lotus has announced that Nick Chester has been promoted to the position of technical director.
Chester replaces James Allison, who is thought to have several offers from rival teams.
Allison has worked at the team since 2005 and also enjoyed stints at Enstone between 1991-1992 and 1994-1999.
Chester joined Enstone in 2000, having worked at Arrows for five years.
"Nick is well known to everyone at Enstone having been with the team for over twelve years," said team principal Eric Boullier.
"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."
Chester thanked Lotus's management for their faith but admits that there is a heavy workload.
"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," said Chester.
