Its looking more and more likely, but I just dont see the sence in hime jumping, for what will ultimatly be several years of development and catch up. The engine unit will be unproven and the car lacks fundemental areo and it will have to redesign its front nose for 2015. The question is who will be his team mate and will Button go to Ferrari or retire?
A cautious Jenson Button was tight-lipped on his future ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix admitting he doesn’t know when his 2015 plans will be resolved. The 2009 World Champion is out of contract at McLaren at the end of the season and following the Singapore GP told reporters he was confident of being on the grid next year. That has been his attitude throughout most of the season, but when quizzed at Suzuka, Button struck a far more cautious tone. “I don’t know,” he said when asked in the FIA Press Conference if his future would be decided soon. “As you know I cannot discuss anything to do with the contract.” When pressed if McLaren was his only option to remain in F1 Button’s reply was brief, adding “it is the best option.” Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ later, Button added: "I am just doing my job, enjoying my racing, and I think l am doing a great job – especially on Sundays, when it counts. Off the circuit, as normal, I do exactly what l am asked to do and, I feel, a lot more."
I really do believe Button will go to Ferrari for a year, they'll find Bianchi a better drive and then in 2016 Bianchi will move to Ferrari. If that happens I have a niggling suspicious Button will win or come close to a WDC next year, leaving Alonso kicking himself....
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2014/...or-divorce-who-will-the-scuderia-go-for-next/ James Allen blog. Alonso has burned bridges at Ferrari who will probably promote Bianchi to replace him. Biggest note though is Ron may be ousted at Mclaren and replaced with Gerhard Berger - his coup d'etat to get rid of Whitmarsh was dependent on him securing additional investment which has apparently failed, and Honda want more control (quelle surprise).
I actually think if Alonso leaves Ferrari, that aren't in a "bad" place. James Allison is designing the 2015 car, he knows well what Kimi needs. Kimi is looking more on the pace again as he gets around the struggles too, so they could well "promote" him to their number 1 for a year with either Bianchi, Button or Grosjean in seat 2 for a year. Kimi expected to retire next season then opens up a seat for Vettel in '16 alongside Bianchi.
Bianchi, Grosjean or Button at a guess. Kimi is well liked in the team (another reason i think Alonso is unhappy, Kimi is treated like a son to their mechanics). Grosjean might be a surprise as a replacement, but he is another who has driven James Allisons cars to great effect and has worked with Kimi before at Lotus, so can't rule him out as a stop gap/number 2/Riccardio surprise type. Ferrari are cautious with young drivers, i think they'll want Bianchi in a Sauber (or similar) next year.
It probably depends on how much faith they have in Kimi to improve. If he can lead the team they'll probably opt for Bianchi, Hulkenberg or Grosjean. If not, Button becomes a more appealing prospect. His age works against him here though. That assuming talk of Vettel/Hamilton wanting out as well isn't true or else everything could go to hell. The other interesting thing is that Pitlane talk (the one's who first reported this as a certainty) have said that Honda want to axe both JB and KMag.
Reckon both current drivers at Ferrari are going, Alonso is almost certain. Hulk and Bianchi to replace for now.
James Allen seems to think that Ferrari and Alonso have reached divorce. http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2014/1...a-go-for-next/ Looks like it is happening after all. Ferrari will undoubtedly be chasing Vettel but I expect him to see out the final year at Red Bull before another year of being harried by Ricciardo, as well as the team building around the young Aussie in anticipation for Vettels departure, leaving a stop gap for Ferrari as they build for 2016. They will need steady heads at the helm and Jenson Button may well wind up there for a year as they build. Their overall good relationship with Nigel Mansell means they won't be afraid of sticking another top level British driver in the team, especially given his vast experience and his willingness to take a short-term deal. Whether he lines up with Raikonnen, whose attitude frankly stinks, is another question and Button would be a great foil for Jules Bianchi to bed into the team. Then again, come March there might not have been an ounce of movement.
The whole reason for McLaren putting Magnussen in with Button was that they felt he needed a better team mate to push him to be his best, such as when he was racing with Hamiton. Therefore, surely having Alonso has his partner should bring out the best in him then, no?
I agree. People are underestimating the power of Alonso here, especially in returning to a team where the teammate was an issue! he knows damn well they have nobody tied for seat 2 for 2015, that's not a coincidence IMO, he will have a lot of leverage on the final say on who partners him if he joins. For the record i think Button would be his preferred choice though, he's respected but not a McLaren Protege and knows that he won't be blitzing him for qualifying pace, whereas somebody like KMag could lead to a Riccardio v Vettel/ Lewis v Alonso last time type situation all over again.
Ferrari are complete idiots really. If they lose Alonso then their future will be pretty bleak. They will have Raikkonen as their lead driver who brings nothing to the team in terms of development. The number 2 seat whoever it may be will have little impact or say in the 2015 car.
Jonathan Noble has a write-up on Autosport about Ferrari and Alonso splitting up (when I put it like that it sounds like Lewis and Nicole ) I am pretty surprised, now we just need to wait and see where the pieces fall into place.
