The Formula 1 Thread - 2015
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,112
Likes: 2
From: Banbury, Oxfordshire
What I'm trying to say is that I get the impression McLaren seem to think they can take an promising young driver, and get another Hamilton. I felt with Kovalainen, Perez and now Magnussen, McLaren were hoping for great thing from a rookie/young driver and seem surprised they didn't deliver from day 1.
The rumour was McLaren were trying to do a deal with Marussia to run Magnussen for 2014, but when that fell through they opted for him over Perez. On the face of it, signing up one driver and then dumping him after a year, then replacing him with another, and then dumping him after a year makes them look pretty foolish. Of course a lot of this was the Martin Whitmarsh era, and Ron wanted to keep Magnussen but was over-ruled by the board (James Allen reports he was trying to raise money from Magnussen's Danish backers to buy a controlling stake). Which makes you wonder what the atmosphere between Ron and Jenson will be like.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 3
Button 2009 world champion
Alonso 2006 world champion
Magnason £ decent driver
Button does well even when given a bad car.
Alonso does well even when given a bad car.
Magnason isnt tested with this yet.
Button knowledge for engineers
Alonso knowledge for engineers
Magnason less than above
Button good for PR
Alonso good for PR
Magnason less than above.
Alonso £25.5 million... Over paid.
Button £6 million... Under paid.
Magnason £2 million plus investment £.
Roll on button Vs Alonso.... Gloves off JB no more Mr nice guy
Alonso 2006 world champion
Magnason £ decent driver
Button does well even when given a bad car.
Alonso does well even when given a bad car.
Magnason isnt tested with this yet.
Button knowledge for engineers
Alonso knowledge for engineers
Magnason less than above
Button good for PR
Alonso good for PR
Magnason less than above.
Alonso £25.5 million... Over paid.
Button £6 million... Under paid.
Magnason £2 million plus investment £.
Roll on button Vs Alonso.... Gloves off JB no more Mr nice guy
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 4
From: The Beautiful South
I am delighted that JB has got the drive however. What the two drivers now need is a decent car and a good engine. McLaren had one of these elements last year, and they have just ditched that........
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
Were Ricciardo or Bottas that impressive in their first years? I don't think they were. Ricciardo and Bottas are good arguments for taking a chance on a newer younger driver: they've both stepped up and really delivered once they've had a few years behind them and got hold of a decent car. Magnussen could be the same. Button still has a lot to offer, but he's not likely to improve, probably the opposite, which is why I would have chosen Magnussen.
Of course it isn't all about performance in F1.
Of course it isn't all about performance in F1.
The language is interesting. Doesn't Ron usually say 'the best two drivers' but is now saying 'the best two available'?
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 10,652
Likes: 17
From: Market Harborough, Leics.
I suspect there is a performance related clause in there.
Edit: Telegraph saying he has a 1+1 contract where both parties have the option to extend before the end of next season.
