From Autosport: "But although many were eagerly expecting an announcement to be made on Dec. 1, Italy's Italiaracing reports that the world will not hear any news until at least Thursday or Friday." Mod note: see post #319 for the official McLaren announcement.
Starting to sound like their primary sponsor for 2014. "We're going to make the announcement shortly." McLaren closing on title sponsor for 2014 | McLaren | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN F1
agree completel;y - unless there are specific reasons that compelled them to delay - though I can't imagine what those might be.
They meant Thursday or Friday of the 2015 Australian GP. Just in time for free practice. They've got it under control.
Now seriously, right now they have no title sponsor so probably they're trying to fix a complex sponsorship-driver deal. Need some time.
Agreed. Button and Magnussen both deserve better than this. I suspect Button will get frustrated and leave F1 for a different motorsport. From his interviews, he seems to have one foot out the door already. All the best, Andrew.
It may well be that Ron Dennis is hoping for just that, Jenson so disgusted that he simply takes a hike. Though do I not recall his having signed a long-term contract with McLaren that was supposed to extend well beyond his driving years?
If it is Jenson with out a seat, at least he has other options in WEC, etc. He's already been invited. No so sure about Kevin though.
According to Autosport, the decision will indeed be taken during a session of McLaren's board this Thursday, December 4th, afternoon (it is already 15:31 in London). But no-one has confirmed when it will be officially announced. Rgds
Ron tryed to convince "Lego" to sponsor the car but they weren't in to it (why should they, sponsor Ron, after all, they already have Chewbacca!!)...if this went ahead, Keving would have secured his place, this way anything can happen.
.... not a good idea, dropping Jenson Button would be analogous to allowing Scotland's succession. Unpatriotic, the royal family would frown, upon McLaren having done so. Jenson Button is her boy. The queen would not like that very much... Otherwise unimpressive, yet another lackluster, overrated second generation driver, McLaren would be wise dropping the Magnussen boy, than risk political and social consequence of dropping so popular and beloved a driver as Jenson Button. Alonso's good. But, he's not that good. Two F1 heavyweights, everybody wants to see for themselves, Jenson Button, a verbis ad verba, with Alonso. Five gets to 10 in equal equipment Button matches Alonso's points haul. Magnussen certainly won't -- asj.
any thought that maybe these jerks on the McLaren Board are delaying deliberately, hoping that Jenson will say: screw it! I'm out of here, and permit them the luxury of not having to make an unpopular decision at all. It's the conspiracy theorist in me ;-)
... the more protracted McLaren's talks, the more we observe them hemming and hawing, stalling for time, the greater the likelihood Button will succeed, to partner Alonso. Were he a no brainer, McLaren people would have chosen Magnussen, long ago. Fading from 2nd at the season opener to dead last amongst the 8 Ilmor engine contenders (e.g., overhauled by every other "Mercedes" driver in his 2014 points haul), the Magnussen kid is slow, dangerous and overrated. McLaren is unequivocally better off re-signing Button, or drafting Jean Eric Vergne from Williams -- asj.
The press is open about RD and Mclaren pursuing Danish support/sponors/money. K-mag has the upper hand if they are essentially purusing major sponsorhip is this fashion as reported. JB grows frustrated and openly so. IF he leaves he makes the boad decision easy. No decision from the board was put forth today per Autosport. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117042
