He doesn't have a contract for that year at the moment, but its seems pretty likely, especially with this part at the end of the BBC article on the switch
I would imagine that JB will have retired by then, I dont think he will have the pace or comitment to continue - just an opinion - it may be affected if Mclaren are successful next year. The only thing that may influence him (which might be why Mclaren have commented on JB having the option) is that Honda are keen to have him, based on his past association with the brand.
You think he'll retire next season? He'll only be 34. Its the start of being over the hill, but i'd be surprised if he lost so much pace in a year and a half that he couldn't continue. I don't see him pulling a Schumacher or a Barrichello, but i reckon he'll make 2015 at least. The only way i could see him going is if McLaren continue their current form for the next two years.
Its a interesting situation now. McLaren could be poor, average or great next season but with the engine change in 2015 theres no guarantees on progression. Honda really could do with getting a engine in a second car for next season to iron out any issues and a certain Cosworth team (Marussia) would probably take them up to save their own funds.
Rumours that, especially in the wake of Honda's return, Renault will reduce their commitment in the sport to just 3 teams from 2015. The major issue with this is that certain teams' contracts are up at the end of this year, and Renault are keen for a long-term contract (5 years) - which means teams will find it difficult as if they intend to switch away from Renault they'll need a short-term deal, Cosworth are basically out of the sport and Honda are determined not to join until 2015. Honda, meanwhile, want more than one team, which is tricky because Sauber and Marussia are already close to committing to Ferrari, and Force India and Mercedes (surpisingly) to Mercedes. Caterham and Toro Rosso are possibilities. Teams currently supplied by Renault: Red Bull Lotus Caterham Williams Lotus have been linked away from Renault recently but one suspects that is bluffing.
I think it wil depend on his options and how competitive he has been in 2014. He is one of those drivers that will always have to battle the stigma of not being classed as a "Top Driver" even though he was very evenly matched with Lewis over 3 years. I just dont think he will want to go down the same route as Webber and alot will depend on what the mangerial structure looks like at Mclaren - I expect changes.
I didn't realise Marussia were committed to Ferrari, otherwise they'd have been a perfect testing ground for Honda, as Marussia have some "technical partnership" thing with McLaren already.
Ooh, I might edit that. The Autosport article I read said they were close to agreeing a deal so perhaps that was worded wrong - but essentially they're an unlikely destination as things stand.
You'd presume Renault will stick with RBR and Lotus, can't really see Williams going with Ferrari, although that would be awesome! Williams-Ferrari
Would this have been allowed? I would've thought the engine would've become homologated as soon as they raced it. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107462 Honda not joining until 2015 is a bit awkward, because it means any teams wanting to use them are going to have to use another manufacturer's engine for the first year of the new regulations. If I was a manufacturer I'd be reluctant to supply an engine to a team for one year in case data was leaked to Honda while they're still developing their engine. The other side of the coin is that supplying five teams in that first year is going to expose reliability issues sooner. I think Toro-Rosso taking on Renault engines seems logical given Red Bull are effectively Renault's works team now, the two teams will be able to share more and cut costs. I doubt Ferrari are particularly keen to keep supplying engines to Red Bull, doesn't look too good when the team beating you is using Renault engines and using your engines for its junior team. I'm surprised Williams and Lotus want Honda engines though. Renault are expected to have a strong engine, Honda are a bit of a risk. It'll be so confusing if Lotus get Honda or Mercedes engines and some people still insist on calling them Renault. I think Williams will probably have a year with Renault and then join Honda, and that Lotus will sign a long term deal with Mercedes.
Williams Ferrari or McLaren Ferrari will surely never happen. As Marrusia have a technical partnership with McLaren I'm surprised they are allowed Ferrari engines.
