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Lotus' technical director, James Allison, is set to leave the team this season in a shock move to the Enstone squad.
Allison, who originally joined the team in 1991 in its Benetton days, re-joined the team in its 2005 championship-winning year after spells with Larousse and Ferrari, and was promoted to technical director in 2009.
The move will come as a blow to Lotus who lies second in the constructors' championship, as the highly rated designer's departure could affect whether Kimi Raikkonen - who lies 10 points adrift of Vettel in the drivers' title race - will stay with the team beyond 2013.
Allison's most likely destination is Ferrari, which has been on a technical recruitment drive, after McLaren ruled out any possibility for the Brit to join. However, Mercedes, with its raft of top-rated technical staff has been touted as another possibility.
Nick Chester, who has worked with the team for over 12 years, has been confirmed as Allison's replacement, and his appointment is not expected to affect the team's preparation for the 2014 season, which sees new smaller engines and regulations.
"We are pleased to announce Nick Chester as our next technical director," 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.”
"The 2014 technical regulation changes present many challenges, while our current position in 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.”
Allison, who originally joined the team in 1991 in its Benetton days, re-joined the team in its 2005 championship-winning year after spells with Larousse and Ferrari, and was promoted to technical director in 2009.
The move will come as a blow to Lotus who lies second in the constructors' championship, as the highly rated designer's departure could affect whether Kimi Raikkonen - who lies 10 points adrift of Vettel in the drivers' title race - will stay with the team beyond 2013.
Allison's most likely destination is Ferrari, which has been on a technical recruitment drive, after McLaren ruled out any possibility for the Brit to join. However, Mercedes, with its raft of top-rated technical staff has been touted as another possibility.
Nick Chester, who has worked with the team for over 12 years, has been confirmed as Allison's replacement, and his appointment is not expected to affect the team's preparation for the 2014 season, which sees new smaller engines and regulations.
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| Nick Chester, new Lotus Technical director. (Photo: Twitter) |
"We are pleased to announce Nick Chester as our next technical director," 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.”
"The 2014 technical regulation changes present many challenges, while our current position in 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.”