Mclaren are "considering" a role for Stefan Vandoorne next year, but he may well end up doing another season of GP2. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/115586 Could see him slotting in at Force India if Hulkenberg makes a move. Don't think he's seriously in with a chance of replacing Magnussen.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/28952174 Jenson Button's Formula 1 career is hanging in the balance as McLaren continue their pursuit of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso. McLaren have been courting Alonso since last year after deciding they want him as a lead driver for their new engine partnership with Honda from 2015. They are not prepared to take any other decisions on drivers until they know whether Alonso will leave Maranello. Button is out of contract this year and wants to stay at McLaren. But the 34-year-old, who has been racing in F1 for 14 years, admitted this could be his last season in the sport. "We haven't sat down and talked about it," he told BBC F1 at the Belgian Grand Prix. "If I have to retire at the end of the season then so be it, but I feel I have so much more to give and I can't imagine life without motorsport and especially Formula 1." McLaren say they are in no hurry to conclude their driver line-up for 2015. Racing director Eric Boullier said: "Jenson is racing for us and we have discussions open with him, but until we have decided on our strategy, we will not finalise our driver line-up." Honda is putting significant financial investment into McLaren on top of its funding of the engine programme and is keen to have an "A-list" driver leading its new works team. Along with Alonso, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel are considered the biggest stars and best drivers, although Vettel's standing is being tarnished by team-mate Daniel Ricciardo's performances this season. McLaren want Alonso whenever they can get him, despite the tumultuous time they had when he drove for them in 2007. The Spaniard fell out with McLaren boss Ron Dennis and the two parties agreed to terminate their contract after just one season of a three-year deal. However, if McLaren cannot tempt the double world champion to join for 2015, they will continue to be interested in attracting him for 2016. That leaves current drivers Button and Kevin Magnussen in limbo while McLaren wait for a final answer, although if Alonso decides to join, it is considered likely that McLaren would retain the Dane rather than Button. Alonso, 33, has finished second in the championship to Vettel three times in the last four years for Ferrari, despite inferior cars to Red Bull, and is determined to win a third world title before considering quitting F1. Despite Ferrari having their least successful season since 1994, Alonso is under contract to Ferrari until 2016 and is considered most likely to stay put. He has regularly talked of using 2014 as a building year for a more competitive season in 2015. The question for Button is whether he is prepared to wait for Alonso to make up his mind, which could take some time. The 2009 world champion may prefer to look for a seat elsewhere, although there are none obviously available at any of the top teams. If Alonso was to turn McLaren down and Button find another seat, the team would have to try to find a less successful driver from elsewhere. Finn Valtteri Bottas would likely be at the top of that list after an impressive 2014 season, although he is under contract to stay at Williams for next season, while another contender would be Force India's Nico Hulkenberg, on whom Ferrari are believed to have some kind of option.
I guess you could make a reasonably convincing argument as to why they should be able to return to the top, can you really say the same for Ferrari? Mclaren have a new engine supplier investing big money in the company, and are in the process of fixing the flaws in their organisation. Ferrari are the same every year, as an organisation are years out of date - and they seem proud of it. If you want to win titles, why stay somewhere where you can be pretty sure they won't be competitive, rather than move to an outfit that looks about to change in a positive manner. Worst case scenario is that he moves to Mclaren and still qualifies around 5th, and scrapes the odd podium. He'd hardly be throwing a lot away by moving.
I think we all know that Jenson's career is in its twilight. And I think we all know that he ain't no Alonso either. I have to agree with DHC here: there's more of a chance that McLaren can adapt to the changing times than Ferrari can because Ferrari are trapped in their own heritage and, as DHC says, are "proud of it", rather than seeing it as the albatross it has become.
I'd be pretty sure one of Alonso and Vettel will be at McLaren. If not 2015 then by 2016. McLaren have been awful but they are making big steps from the foundations upwards to put things right. Ron opening his hand out to Alonso is a bloody big statement- they desperately need Honda to deliver a stunning power unit. Only McLaren/Honda will really have an incline with that, but there is the possibility drivers will wait to see how they fare in their first seaso back, hence the 2016 possibility. That might suit all parties- Jenson stays in a seat, Vettel drives the final Newey-influenced car, and Alonso shows loyalty to Ferrari. Having said that, with Red Bull losing Newey, and Ferrari rebuilding, there is every chance of Seb and Alonso being right in the frame.
Equally, though, Mclaren are taking a gamble on a new engine supplier, not to mention the feud Alonso had with Ron Dennis and the fact that they are a privateer team whilst Ferrari, although stuck in a rut at the moment, do have full constructor backing. I don't know, I just think it would be a huge gamble. There's also the fact I believe this 'pursuit of Alonso' is just to drive down Jenson's wages, I think his experience with Honda is overstated but that doesn't change the fact it would be relevant. If Vettel or Alonso were to switch teams for my money it would have to be to Mercedes. Everything else is a sideways step.
I'd argue that Alonso can gamble and risk more mid-points mediocrity, or stay at Ferrari and guarantee it. Full constructor's backing for Ferrari has still produced a dog of an engine, which at the very least will still be behind the Mercedes powertrain next season. Mclaren are likely to be the only big team backed by Honda next season, and with Honda throwing money their way too, they will effectively have works-team status. If Dennis can see beyond previous feuds, I'm sure Alonso can. Alonso knows time isn't on his side if he wants to win another championship, so he can't afford to delay. I also don't think the driver situation at Mclaren will be as volatile as the Hamilton-Alonso partnership was. Whether they keep Button or KMag on, Alonso will effectively have number 1 status there as I don't think either will be strong enough to seriously challenge him. It might be a sideways step in terms of this season, but I can't see seats at Mercedes opening up unless things go seriously sour there (both drivers would be mad to leave right now), and I just can't see Alonso at Red Bull.
I think Alonso will stay put and see what sort of Engine package Honda bring in before making his decision, he has a year to watch their progress and then decide.
Agreed on Vandoorne but I'm not sure Magnussen's seat is as safe as folk think it is, he's been fairly solid and fully deserves another season, however he's also not done a huge amount that screams "star in the making" aside from a fantastic opening race, dare i say he's been a touch underwhelming? Button has easily outscored him in races and this much heralded "phenomenal pace" hasn't really been shown either too often, Button has had the measure of him. Kvyat for example has had a few real standout moments over the season in a weaker car. Fully deserves another season though at very least, he hasn't looked out of place but just saying i equally don't think he's shown enough that if a top driver or 2 were available, McLaren wouldn't give them his seat. For another rookie though? No chance.
Cant see McLaren matching Alonso or Vettel's wage demands. Lewis left for a number of reasons and money was a consideration.
So, Alonso needs to decide. Next year at Mclaren would be a year of build, getting the car built around him. If he waits for the engine performance to come right it may not prove itself till year 2. So, if he wants to go to Mclaren now is the time. He can wait but could lose yet another year trying build the car round him. Mclaren don't want to lose that year either. He would be number1 but turning the clock back 6 years, that's the issue. I reckon Honda maybe showing why their engine will hit the mark day1. They will no doubt have learnt from the merc engine. Meanwhile Ferrari rebuild coming right would be good for Alonso. Alonso is still the best in my opinion so he could be successful in both places. He needs another team mate tho, He and Jenson would be a good match but very mature. Massa is lost in my view and while Williams may keep him his early form has gone. Williams need another driver. I do think Jenson would be good at Williams but maybe the Brazillian connection with Martini is too valuable a market to lose...I suspect that is the real reason to keep Massa. Williams need to keep Bottas. I would like to think there is change...does Alonso want to take a chance. He wants at least 2 more WDC titles and time is beginning to run short. Very very big decision whichever way he jumps.
Who is bluffing who? Tom Wilkinson ‏@TomWilkinsonF1 1m Hamilton & Mercedes put all contract negotiations on hold until the current situation is resolved. The 2015 driver market heating up nicely!
Alonso is also getting towards the twilight of his career. Has he really got another 5/6 years of racing left in him for McLaren to want to build an entirely new package around him? He is a great racer and a safe pair of hands, clearly faster than Button, so will give them more strength on the driver front and should be seen as someone to develop a younger talent, like Magnussen, who has at times looked like the raw rookie he is, but some of his driving has been very accomplished, as Alonso found out at Spa!
If McLaren could somehow convince Vettel to join I think that would get Alonso there as well, I bet he'd want to show what he could do up against Vettel in the same car
McLaren are reportedly chasing the ultimate driver line-up for 2015 and beyond, with team bosses set to launch a final attempt to lure both Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso. It's well known that McLaren have already held talks with Alonso in the hope of getting the Spaniard back following their 2007 falling out, but Autosport reports the team are also seeking the services of four-time champion Vettel. The team want a 'star-studded' line-up for their return to Honda power and both Eric Boullier and Ron Dennis are involved in negotiations with the two champions. Whilst Vettel is committed to Red Bull until the end of 2015 and Alonso a year longer at Ferrari, McLaren are willing to wait, but want assurances that the two, or at least one of them, will commit to joining the Woking outfit when their deal expires. The hope is that they can secure at least one earlier, but that would require negotiations with not only the driver but also the team. A decision is expected prior to the Singapore Grand Prix and McLaren are keen to secure the team's future as swiftly as possible as it currently leaves both Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen in limbo with their own futures. Speaking to the official F1 website, Dennis hinted that contracts may prove a problem and insists he is happy with their current line-up regardless of what's happening behind the scenes. "As I say, we'll always look to employ the best drivers available - but they have to be available, don't they? "Having said that, for the avoidance of doubt, Jenson and Kevin represent an excellent blend of capable experience and youthful promise, and we’re very happy with both of them. "The fact that we’re keeping an eye on what a few other drivers are up to in no way contradicts that, because, as I say, if opportunities arise, we'll appraise them - we always have and we always will." - See more at: http://www.f1times.co.uk/news/display/09274#sthash.kMbdnQbA.dpuf I can't see why either would want to partner up and has been stated above Alonso is only 1 year younger than Button so it would seem to contradict building a long term driver line up. In addition they would both be mega expensive and considering Ron was so vocal on Lewis's wage demands I don't see how this would work?
