Long-time World Touring Car Championship promoter Marcello Lotti is no longer at the helm of the WTCC, with the position transferring to Eurosport Events’ François Ribeiro and former Chevrolet Motorsport Director Eric Nève.
According to German website Motorsport-Total.com, Lotti’s departure follows his last major task to oversee the introduction of the new-for-2014 technical regulations which are being introduced this season.
The Italian has been at the helm of the WTCC since its resurrection in 2005, leading the promotion of the series for nine years.
Lottis is set to be replaced by Ribeiro and temporarily Nève, who formerly lead the works Chevrolet squad for the US manufacturer between 2005 and 2012. Swiss Nève joined German firm HWA AG towards the end of 2012 as a result of the cessation of Chevrolet’s works programme in the series at the end of that year.
It is understood that Nève’s role is as an independent consultant to help fill the gap following the departure of Lotti.
Lotti not only helped to revive the WTCC but steered it into important markets in Japan, China, South America, Russia and North America, evovlving from its spiritual home in Europe, and leaves the series with manufacturer involvement from Honda, Citroën and LADA.