McLaren driver decision 'next week at the earliest'

  • Published on 05 Dec 2014 16:07
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Yet another week will draw to a close with no news forthcoming about McLaren's 2015 driver lineup. After Thursday's board meeting at Woking, expectations had risen again on Friday that McLaren would finally confirm Fernando Alonso and name his Honda-powered teammate. Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen, however, remain in the dark.

A team spokesman said McLaren is planning "no driver selection announcements until next week at the earliest". That indicates the wait could in fact take longer than another whole week. Asked when he is expecting news, 22-year-old Danish rookie Magnussen told local newspaper Ekstra Bladet: "I have no idea. Hopefully before Christmas!"

He attended what will surely be either his or Button's last McLaren sponsor engagement on Thursday, and said on Twitter afterwards: "Really good to spend some time with JB. He is an awesome guy and no matter what happens next year, I'm cheering for him."

It is believed a behind-the-scenes shareholder, sponsorship and management wrangling involving Ron Dennis, Mansour Ojjeh and the Bahrainis is tied up with the driver news delay. McLaren, however, said: "The team declines to add further details."

Publicly, McLaren is taking a lot of flak not only for leaving world champion Button hanging, but also endangering Magnussen's fledgling career. Derek Warwick, chairman of the British Racing Drivers' Club, told BBC radio on Friday the treatment of veteran Button in particular has been "disgusting".

And the Telegraph correspondent Daniel Johnson added: "Putting a world champion through the mill, one who has been such a team player at McLaren and who commands huge respect, is bordering on a disgrace. It is no surprise that Ron Dennis and Button's management have not spoken since the last race in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago. One can only wonder what Honda, their new engine suppliers who have invested heavily in their return to formula one, are making of all this." (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 588
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 180
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (43)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar