Allison departs Lotus

Lotus have appointed Nick Chester as their new technical director following the shock departure of James Allison.

Allison, one of the most highly-respected engineers in Formula One who was in his third spell with the Enstone-based team, has been instrumental in Lotus’ strong form to date in 2013 but has walked away from his role ahead of the start of the European season in Spain this weekend.

Chester steps up from the role of engineering director to fill the void, with Allison’s next move still uncertain.

Ferrari are believed to be leading the chase to snap him up, although rivals McLaren are understood to have made an approach. Mercedes and Williams are also known to be interested.

Team principal Eric Boullier said: “As a team and individually, we would all like to thank James for his efforts during his three stints at Enstone, and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

Allison’s association with Enstone dates back to 1991, when he joined Benetton’s aero department.

He was the team’s head of aerodynamics in 1995 after returning from a stint at Larrousse, before leaving to oversee Ferrari’s trackside aerodynamic operations in 2000.

He return to Enstone for a third time in 2005 with the team now renamed as Renault, and as deputy technical director played a key role as the team won back-to-back drivers’ and constructors’ titles in 2005 and 2006.