Lotus Formula 1 team principal Eric Boullier has left the team just weeks ahead of the new season in a shock move.

The Enstone-based squad released a statement on Friday confirming that Boullier has resigned from his position with Lotus co-chairman Gerard Lopez set to take over the role vacated by Frenchman.

It is expected that Boullier will take over Martin Whitmarsh’s role as team principal at McLaren, which is currently undergoing a management restructure in the hands of Ron Dennis.

Boullier had held the team principal role at Lotus since 2010 when the outfit ran under the guise of Renault F1.

He continued to lead the team following the rebrand to Lotus F1 helping the team secure fourth in the 2012 and 2013 Constructors Championships.

“We thank Eric for all his hard work over the past four years and we are confident we can continue to fight as one of the top teams in Formula 1 over the seasons ahead,” said Lopez in the statement.

“Lotus F1 Team has never stood still and we head into what promises to be an exciting 2014 season with an innovative new car, new partners and a new management structure at Enstone.

“Great things have been achieved over the past years and we need to continue this momentum.

Lotus had suffered well documented financial struggles last season with driver Kimi Raikkonen declaring he had not been paid midway through the 2013 campaign. It is not yet clear whether this played a part in Boullier’s departure.

Lotus are due to unveil their 2014 challenger at the second pre-season test at Bahrain next month after electing not to launch their new car at opening three day test at Jerez, which begins on Monday.