Jenson Button's future...?
Discussion
BBC and ESPN are questionning whether JB may continue with McLaren next year if Alonso does end up joining McLaren. While I hope Button stays at McLaren for 2015, and Alonso stays at ferrari for 2015, it did make me wonder what Button's options could be if he were to leave McLaren. I would love to see him drive for an LMP 1 outfit, as given his endurance fitness levels and specific style of driving, I think he would be truly awesome. Where would he fit in best though given the current LMP 1 driver line up?
I think the drivers are the least of the problems at McLaren. Sort out the design culture, the race strategies and the operational processes first.
If they think Alonso can make up for a poor car, then they have another problem that is bigger than the current drivers; delusion.
In fact, Alonso might well really expose them. There would be nowhere to hide if, with Alonso as the No1 driver, McLaren are still languishing in the mid-field. Only thing is, Alonso is likely to be less than diplomatic about it than the current drivers.
The only benefits are Santander money (Yes Alonso the Pay Driver), and the other sponsor attraction of having Alonso.
If they think Alonso can make up for a poor car, then they have another problem that is bigger than the current drivers; delusion.
In fact, Alonso might well really expose them. There would be nowhere to hide if, with Alonso as the No1 driver, McLaren are still languishing in the mid-field. Only thing is, Alonso is likely to be less than diplomatic about it than the current drivers.
The only benefits are Santander money (Yes Alonso the Pay Driver), and the other sponsor attraction of having Alonso.
onyx39 said:
He always said he wanted to end his career at McLaren. I have to say though, as a Button fan, I would love to see him in a Ferrari.
I thought Ferrari had confirmed that they were keeping the same line-up next year?As far as JB goes it would be great to see him stay but he does look very expensive compared to some of the younger drivers. Depends on how much McLaren think experience is worth...
per point:
Jenson Button (McLaren): $385,000
Kevin Magnussen (McLaren): $39,000
http://www.news.com.au/sport/motorsport/sebastian-...
JB is a nice guy but let's be honest there are plenty of really good, hungry rookie drivers who would probably do as well as JB.......for a fraction of the cost.
EB has made it clear that they are looking for a long-term driver line up and I would be sorry (but not surprised) if JB is not part of that plan
EB has made it clear that they are looking for a long-term driver line up and I would be sorry (but not surprised) if JB is not part of that plan
Unless he takes a dramatic cut in his pay, looks like button will be out the door next season.
IF it's fernando they replace him with, then I'd understand mclaren's thinking. IF they replace him with a young, fresh faced, hungry kid, whose wages would be a drop in the ocean compared to button, then I'd understand aswel.
Either way, it would be very difficult for mclaren to justify keeping button in his seat next season.
IF it's fernando they replace him with, then I'd understand mclaren's thinking. IF they replace him with a young, fresh faced, hungry kid, whose wages would be a drop in the ocean compared to button, then I'd understand aswel.
Either way, it would be very difficult for mclaren to justify keeping button in his seat next season.
BevR said:
I thought Ferrari had confirmed that they were keeping the same line-up next year?
As I understand, Ferrari has Alonso under contract until the end of 2016 and Raikkonen under contract until the end of 2015.However, there may be performance clauses or options that could allow either Ferrari to ditch Raikkonen or Alonso to ditch Ferrari.
BevR said:
I thought Ferrari had confirmed that they were keeping the same line-up next year?
As far as JB goes it would be great to see him stay but he does look very expensive compared to some of the younger drivers. Depends on how much McLaren think experience is worth...
per point:
Jenson Button (McLaren): $385,000
Kevin Magnussen (McLaren): $39,000
http://www.news.com.au/sport/motorsport/sebastian-...
Intersting, but not really representative of driver ability. Bianchi better than Kimi, really. Just a set of statistics that an Aussie (and presumably Vettel hating), publication has put together to show how much better Ricciado is than Vettel.As far as JB goes it would be great to see him stay but he does look very expensive compared to some of the younger drivers. Depends on how much McLaren think experience is worth...
per point:
Jenson Button (McLaren): $385,000
Kevin Magnussen (McLaren): $39,000
http://www.news.com.au/sport/motorsport/sebastian-...
And they bring Alonso in, and he scores 10% more points. Still more expensive.
The problem is not the driver ability. Price may be an issue, and JB should expect a pay cut.
BevR said:
As far as JB goes it would be great to see him stay but he does look very expensive compared to some of the younger drivers. Depends on how much McLaren think experience is worth...
per point:
Jenson Button (McLaren): $385,000
Kevin Magnussen (McLaren): $39,000
http://www.news.com.au/sport/motorsport/sebastian-...
Surely, the dollar per point figures are only relevant if McLaren believe that they will continue to make an uncompetitive car and therefore reducing their budget would be a wise move?per point:
Jenson Button (McLaren): $385,000
Kevin Magnussen (McLaren): $39,000
http://www.news.com.au/sport/motorsport/sebastian-...
BevR said:
As far as JB goes it would be great to see him stay but he does look very expensive compared to some of the younger drivers. Depends on how much McLaren think experience is worth...
per point:
Jenson Button (McLaren): $385,000
Kevin Magnussen (McLaren): $39,000
That's one way of looking at it. Another way is that that 65% of McLaren's points have come from Jenson and that 70% of Kevin's points came from the first race of the season.per point:
Jenson Button (McLaren): $385,000
Kevin Magnussen (McLaren): $39,000
If it weren't for Jenson out pointing Kevin so comprehensively McLaren would be in 6th in the WCC which at the end of the season is worth $5-10M (US) less than the current 5th they occupy.
It's no real surprise the media are running such a story. One of the older drivers on the grid and who's contract expires hasn't announced the signing of a new contract. Cue headlines of "future uncertain". Nothing is certain until it's signed and even then not absolute. Jenson did after all buy himself out of a "binding" contract with Williams in 2005.
I'm a big fan of JB, and make no apologies for that, but I'm 50/50 on his future at McLaren. The team haven't delivered for him and, ignoring the contract buyout, there is a certain symmetry to him returning to Williams.
Personally given a decent car I think he's more than capable of challenging for a WDC. Has he got another WDC win in him though? Probably not but then neither have the vast majority of the grid.
On the other hand is Magnussen the right driver to develop the car with the new Honda unit? He can be fast but he doesn't appear to be particularly clever at this point in his career.
I can see see a scenario where McLaren retain JB to help develop the car and do the lions share of the Honda PR work with Alonso or Vettel as the number 1 driver and Magnussen released.
Equally I can see McLaren waving goodbye to both.
Edited by Agent Orange on Wednesday 27th August 17:42
I'll be very sorry to see him retire but I'd rather he did it when he's still a decent driver, than stay in F1 long enough to be a liability.
My ideal scenario in the event that he retires at the end of the year, is Magnussen and Alonso staying where they are and McLaren bring in Hülkenberg.
My ideal scenario in the event that he retires at the end of the year, is Magnussen and Alonso staying where they are and McLaren bring in Hülkenberg.
Jasandjules said:
Honda will want JB IMHO.... So he will stay at least next year I suspect.
thisand probably be happy to pick up the tab for him too.
He probably wants a multi-year deal
McLaren will probably push for a single year - and assume that once the Honda engine has bedded in they can attract Vettel/Alonso or Hamilton.....
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