13/09/2013
NEWS STORY
Days after it lost Kimi Raikkonen to Ferrari, Lotus is to lose its Head of Aerodynamics, Dirk De Beer to the Maranello outfit.
In the wake of Ferrari's confirmation that it had secured the services of Raikkonen, Lotus tweeted a controversial message; alongside a picture of two rabbits doing what rabbits do - and we don't mean eat carrots – the Enstone admitted that the news "hurt a little bit".
The Enstone team has now suffered a further blow as it has been revealed that De Beer is also Maranello-bound, the deal having been agreed in the wake of James Allison's departure for Ferrari.
While the move further signals Ferrari's intention to do whatever is necessary to become serious title challengers again it also appears to underline the problems at Enstone. Indeed, in a curious move, though De Beer told the team of his intention to leave some time ago it is understood he was asked to continue work on its 2014 car.
It is understood that De Beer will work under Technical Director (Chassis) Allison alongside the Italian team's Head of Aerodynamics, Loic Bigois, the Maranello marque gradually assembling a technical department with almost as many as heads as that at Mercedes.
The pressure is already on Ferrari to raise its game, the Italian outfit not having won the title since 2007 (with Raikkonen), though it did win the Constructors’ Championship again 2008. With these latest additions to the team, the management, fans and, more importantly, the Italian media, will expect results… and quickly.