Apparently, McLaren are trying to lose as many fans/sponsors as possible. Doing a good job aren't they? No class whatsoever.
Indeed...I hope Mclaren have a rubbish next year if they kick out Jenson like this and Alonso never achieves WDC all the while he is at Mclaren. Bit OTT I know but I totally dislike this type of behavior....Ron has no courage...
Grosjean is now "officially" confirmed. They'll have the best power-plant in that Lotus next year, just make a half decent car and they'll be my shout to "Do a Williams" in 2015!
The rumours are getting crazy now. Reports suggesting that Honda and McLaren are at loggerheads over the driver lineup with Honda wanting Alonso and Button and McLaren wanting Alonso and Kmag. Alonso also being reported as wanting Kmag and this may fit with Button stating that he feels like the "unwanted brother". Other rumours still out there are that it could still be Alonso and Vettel at McLaren. I dont know what to believe anymore.
I've read every possible combination at this point. My guess is that there's still hold up on Alonso. They haven't made the Button or Mag decision because they can't until Fernando joining is 100%. For it to take this long to pick the second driver there would need to be serious internal conflict.
Alonso and Button would be a good lineup, I'm sure Button would take a paycut if needed to stick around, even if it is a little demeaning.
He might but would he accept being forced into number 2 as opposed to equal status? This I doubt. We all have pride and if he is offered a contract he might not trust Ron either... I don't....he has proved he is capable of dirty tricks. Think Alonso must be desperate to go back to Ron too.
Maybe Ron is trying to force Jenson into making the decision himself since Honda are calling the shots.
Autosprint say it's imminent http://autosprint.corrieredellosport.it/2014/11/20/vettel-ferrari-annuncio-imminente/21360/
And Ferrari confirm that Sebastian Vettel will partner Kimi Raikkonen in 2015 http://t.co/VphY9iS77q #SkyF1
What amazes me is that pretty much every media outlet I have heard/read are saying that McLaren should keep Button and yet McLaren keep stalling...and stalling...and stalling. If not for Button, McLaren would be behind Force India and would gain many millions less is prize money for 2014. Keep Magnussen as reserve for 2015, stick him in another Honda powered team for 2016, then let him graduate to McLaren after that. As McLaren keep reiterating, they need to think long term. Magnessun needs to develop for a few years whereas Button knows exactly what's needed.
Fair points, well put. You'd think it would be a no-brainer: they have a new engine from a supplier that has been out of the sport for years; they have a highly experienced driver in Button who has the most recent experience of Honda and working with them. I can only wonder whether there are sticking points over salary or status from Button and/or Alonso. Or are they stalling over the possibility of three-car teams?
Do Honda want to work with Button again? It didn't end well last time they were together. Realistically, Alonso is going to beat Button, so what chance would Button really have of any success if he has to play no.2 to Alonso?
I'd forgotten about that, I was trying to see it from McLaren's point of view. So, Button and Honda plus Alonso and Mclaren: that's a lot of bad blood needs letting! Still, plenty of leeches in F1 - boom, boom. As for Alonso beating Button, would it really end up much different from the Lewis and Jenson situation when they were team mates? Perhaps slightly more fractious but I'm not sure. Anyway, looking at it like that, I can see why Mclaren may see Magnussen as the preferable option. Ultimately though, it could just be that Ron's playing a ****load of hardball and sundry mind games.
