Eric Boullier reveals reasoning behind driver delay

McLaren Racing Director Eric Boullier has revealed why there is a delay in announcing the teams 2017 line-up.

Bouillier puts it down to crowd and team control, stating that there is too much commotion over the last eight weeks without throwing in the headache of deciding who should drive for them in 2017. 

“Driver discussions are always very emotional with the fans, with the sponsors and even internally. So we had six races in eight weeks, we had a difficult summer, so why start the headache of having these discussions in the middle of this, you know?

“So we decided lets get through the shutdown, everybody’s rested, we’ll come back from the shutdown and then we’ll sit down and start to discuss what we want to do.”

Jenson Button has been at the heart of news talk as his McLaren and indeed F1 future appear to be in doubt. He says that a decision will come in September and if McLaren choose to not retain him, he will think about what other options he has.

“September we’re going to sit down and have a chat and decide whether I want to be racing be in Formula One and whether they want me to be racing in Formula One, whatever the decision is,” Button said.

“If I’m not racing in Formula One next year I don’t know what I’m going to do, have some fun! My adult whole life I’ve been living by a schedule and suddenly I won’t be, which will be the worst in my 18 years as an adult. But that’s exciting for whenever it happens."

“In terms of racing, I’d like to do other racing series in future. I would love to be part of a WEC programme, I really enjoy the camaraderie and team effort that goes into building and racing a car over a long distance event."

A weak reason, preposterous.

  • 1
  • Aug 22 2016 - 17:43

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  • A weak reason, preposterous.

    • + 1
    • Aug 22 2016 - 17:43

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Driver profile

  • Team McLaren
  • Points 37
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  • Grand Prix 41
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 19 1980 (45)
  • Place of b. Frome, Somerset, GB
  • Weight 72 kg
  • Length 1.82 m
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