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[LewEngBridewell]

Looks like Button has the drive. It was a tough decision, choosing between Magnussen's youth and obvious speed, but also Jenson's very high capability and experience.

In the end, based on the cavernous gap in points between the two drivers, McLaren have (for now) made the correct decision. I still hope to see Mags return in the not-too-distant future though.

[myownalias]

Let's hope that McLaren can look forward instead of backwards. the official announcement from McLaren talked more about past glories than the future and it's two drivers for 2015. Just because the partnership had success in the past means nothing today, just look at the Williams Renault hookup, another legendary partnership, that turned out to be a disaster. It might be the end of F1 for Magnussen, McLaren test/reserve drivers rarely make it to a race seat and tend to stick around rather than try their hand elsewhere. This whole saga has left a bad taste in my mouth, I think I would rather have seen Jenson walk away from McLaren to find new challenges.

[CookinFlat6]

Buttons pulling his finger out for the part of the season, and more than likely accepting a wage around 1 - 3 miliion, a 500% drop, is likely to have swung things in his favour. Very smart move from the team providing Button doesnt go into a post contract signing slump or doesnt become a spoiler were Alonso to Kimify him. On the other hand were Button to actually make Alonso look overpriced then he could salve a career of mediocrity. Depending on how Button goes about this I might even fond myself in the position of rooting for him over the prodigiously talented blackmailer

[myownalias]

It all depends on what sort of car McLaren Honda can produce! If they can produce a stable and fast car, Button could be a class leader, if it's skittish, then Alonso will probably trounce Button. It's a well know fact that Button struggles to bring a ill-handling car into line, but in a good well balanced car, he can beat anyone on the grid.

[CookinFlat6]

We know that the development will evolve around Alonsos preferences and not Buttons, plus the fact that he is one a 1 year 'testimonial' stacks the cards against him the further into the season and so JB will have to pull his finger out at the start to have any chance in that department. And Big Rons big toe will not have the luxury of vaseline after his dissapointing rookie was ejected.

[LiamCatterson]

All confirmed. Quite happy to see Ron making the smart choice. Now if their car is good, I think a Hamilton/Rosberg/Button/Alonso and maybe Ricciardo scrap will be an amazing sight

[CookinFlat6]

What about Seb Liam

[LiamCatterson]

What about Seb Liam

What about him?

[CookinFlat6]

He is a 4x WDC in a Ferrari, surely as alonso said he must automatically be a favourite?

[LiamCatterson]

He is a 4x WDC in a Ferrari, surely as alonso said he must automatically be a favourite?

Only cos he knows himself driving wise, he is better than Vettel. Alonso is just basically saying "If you can turn this car into gold for 2015, I'll salute you"

[myownalias]

We know that the development will evolve around Alonsos preferences and not Buttons, plus the fact that he is one a 1 year 'testimonial' stacks the cards against him the further into the season and so JB will have to pull his finger out at the start to have any chance in that department. And Big Rons big toe will not have the luxury of vaseline after his dissapointing rookie was ejected.

Do we know this as fact? I have not seen anything about contract length written in any media I have read so far; nobody knows the contract terms other than the team and driver. Button gets a lot of flack for not being able to develop a car; but Alonso hasn't exactly covered himself in glory in that department either.

[LRW]

[CookinFlat6]

We know that the development will evolve around Alonsos preferences and not Buttons, plus the fact that he is one a 1 year 'testimonial' stacks the cards against him the further into the season and so JB will have to pull his finger out at the start to have any chance in that department. And Big Rons big toe will not have the luxury of vaseline after his dissapointing rookie was ejected.

Do we know this as fact? I have not seen anything about contract length written in any media I have read so far; nobody knows the contract terms other than the team and driver. Button gets a lot of flack for not being able to develop a car; but Alonso hasn't exactly covered himself in glory in that department either.

Come now MOA, you dont really believe Alonso swapped from Ferrari to a struggling team without provisos? with his history (2007 and Ferrari) and his stated desire to win again? Especially as he was requested by Honda for this reason?

You are entitled to that opinion but I doubt it would be common amongst F1 insiders

[CookinFlat6]

:hehe:

Theres something very disturbing about that pic, could be the facial hair

[myownalias]

We know that the development will evolve around Alonsos preferences and not Buttons, plus the fact that he is one a 1 year 'testimonial' stacks the cards against him the further into the season and so JB will have to pull his finger out at the start to have any chance in that department. And Big Rons big toe will not have the luxury of vaseline after his dissapointing rookie was ejected.

Do we know this as fact? I have not seen anything about contract length written in any media I have read so far; nobody knows the contract terms other than the team and driver. Button gets a lot of flack for not being able to develop a car; but Alonso hasn't exactly covered himself in glory in that department either.

Come now MOA, you dont really believe Alonso swapped from Ferrari to a struggling team without provisos? with his history (2007 and Ferrari) and his stated desire to win again? Especially as he was requested by Honda for this reason?

You are entitled to that opinion but I doubt it would be common amongst F1 insiders

I believe nothing until I hear an official announcement from the horses mouth, we have no facts, everything is speculation. But why keep Button if Alonso is going to be doing all the development for McLaren, they might as well kept Magnussen to learn from Alonso. We don't even know how much influence Honda had over the choice of driver.