Button set to replace Alonso at Monaco

  • Published on 13 Apr 2017 12:15
  • comments 4
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Jenson Button is set to replace Fernando Alonso for next month's Monaco Grand Prix, as the Spaniard heads to the US to compete in the Indy 500. 

McLaren executive director Zak Brown yesterday said two-time champion Alonso's replacement is "not in place". However, Button is contracted to McLaren, and with no other driver in place, looks set to make a return to the grid on a track where he has won once, in his title-winning year of 2009.

The Brit announced at the Italian Grand Prix in 2016 that he would be taking a step back from Formula 1 this year. He would not be racing but would remain with McLaren as an ambassador and reserve driver, with the latter point put in place to make sure the Woking based team wouldn't be stuck if they lost one of their drivers.

We assumed it to be unlikely, but Alonso's shock announcement yesterday that he would not be taking part in the Monaco Grand Prix leaves McLaren to find another driver - and with Button contracted, there really isn't any other real options, only daring and exotic ones.

 

At a Bahrain press conference, Brown said:  "We have a few different options, we will state who that is when we know. Eric [Boullier], who runs the F1 team, is ultimately responsible for making the recommendation as to what driver should go in the car and I think he will be here at the weekend so I can save questions for him, he is working on it. I wouldn't want to share the conversations he has had with whom."

Plenty of driver names have been thrown around, but Button's deal was signed for this exact purpose. Despite not racing, he remains part of the team and agreed to race again if any such situation like this cropped up. 

 

Fergal Walsh

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • HEINZ

    Posts: 61

    Strange way to report news:
    "BUTTON SET TO REPLACE ALONSO AT MONACO" does not match with "Alonso's replacement is not in place"

    • + 0
    • Apr 13 2017 - 12:23
    • mhejjas

      Posts: 3

      They mean that McLaren has allowed Alonso to skip the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, so he could race at the Indy 500. Button is to replace Fernando for that single race. On the other hand, his permanent "replacement is not in place", so presumably the Spaniard stays within his contract and continues to race for McLaren from the next race on.

      • + 0
      • Apr 13 2017 - 14:53
  • There's not really any other option, it would be silly for McLaren to go with anyone else

    • + 0
    • Apr 13 2017 - 12:38
  • Would be nice to see JB race again, if just for one race.

    • + 0
    • Apr 13 2017 - 14:56

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 09:45

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 09:45

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 572
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 176
  • 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