McLaren delays driver lineup announcement until next month

  • Published on 19 Nov 2014 08:40
  • comments 1
  • By: Rob Veenstra
The long wait to know McLaren's official 2015 driver lineup is not yet over. With Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen's careers in the balance, team boss Eric Boullier said in Brazil that the target was to announce the news before the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi this weekend. "Guys, we know you're awaiting news on our driver lineup. We'll announce after December 1 - you'll hear it here first," McLaren said on Twitter.

It is obvious that the holdup is the contractual impasse between McLaren's next race driver, the almost certainly returning Fernando Alonso, and his current team Ferrari. The Alonso situation is also blocking Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel from announcing their impending tie-up. But in a media statement, McLaren said its December delay is in fact to "avoid distracting the race team from its primary objective during the final grand prix weekend of the season".

It means Briton Button, if ultimately ousted, will reach the finish-line in Abu Dhabi on Sunday without having being able to formally farewell the sport after a 15-year career, featuring 15 wins and the 2009 title. McLaren said: "Selecting the optimal driver lineup for a formula one team is clearly an important process, and it is therefore one that requires precise and prolonged analysis."

The British team also confirmed reports that, "subject to satisfactory final bench testing", it intends to run the Honda-powered interim car at the post-race Abu Dhabi test. (GMM)

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • As written here before, the continuing delay does also involve Alonso and Ferrari's final placement in the constructors championship. Thankfully, that will finally be decided at Abu Dhabi and he/Ferrari will then announce their separation on good terms. But, now the outcry (and recent letter) by the three smallest teams may force the F1 Commission to make some hard decisions at and after its meeting during the week following Abu Dhabi. Conceivably, that could result in an announcement that certain major F1 players - including McLaren - will field 3-car teams in 2015. Under those circumstances, I'm pretty sure that McLaren would like to have, and announce, Button on its 3-driver team. So it makes sense for them to wait a week longer. I'm sure JB is in the loop on this, just as everyone at McLaren who "needs to know" understands the Alonso/Ferrari close-out arrangements which are deferring that announcement, which needs to come first.

    • + 0
    • Nov 19 2014 - 16:50

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

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 - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 564
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 165
  • 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