Jensons future

[rubystone]

cgt2 said:

From people that haven't met him and believe what they read on the internet. He is a self made guy who rose from very humble beginnings to build a powerhouse of British Motorsport achievement, still the most successful British F1 team ever.

I've met him twice and two close friends have worked for McLaren over 20 years combined. He's a tough guy and very determined but very fair to those who work for him. If he didn't look after people they would not stay there a long time.

Ron's focus is exactly what McLaren need to get back to the top.

Spot on. I've met him a couple of times, once at the very first Goodwood Festival of Speed in 1993. Second time in Forlino restaurant in Singapore in 2010. In both cases he was relaxed, away from the pressures of F1 and friendly, approachable and his passion for modern F1 and McLaren's history was obvious. I'm also aware of what he's done for 3 people in and around the McLaren 'family' but he hasn't sought any publicity around that.

[rubystone]

Dr Z said:

As a fan of his, I think I can live with the fact that he's not a "great". If greatness is achieved by being ruthless and generally being a bd towards one's competitors, then it is quite a compliment actually. I like that about him, and I find drivers like that far more inspiring than the ones that are statistically a 'great' but are known for being ruthless. I'm just glad Brawn happened so it allows his talents to be recognised.

Yes, in the same way that I have great respect for JB I also do for Damon Hill. Neither is one of the 'greats' but both are nice guys, intelligent, great with sponsors and worthy champions. I'd love to see JB in WEC. But I doubt McLaren will be entering LMP1 for at least the next 3 years.

[Vocal Minority]

That's where it's at for me - I am not one of nature's winners - I'm too soft, too much of a pushover.

Hamilton and Schumacher (to give it a generational equivalent) were better in every measurable way

But I like Jenson, I like Damon, Not sure why, but they seem likeable guys. And because I'm lefty hand wringing apologist, that's what appeals to me

[Norfolkit]

suffolk009 said:

lee_fr200 said:

I think he will stay at mclaren tbh! I can't see the board ushering Jenson out when he's a pr's wet dream and he's guarantees to bring the car home! Infact I haven't seen him have any offs this year!

Vandoorne is an unknown rly will the sponsors and the board want him driving for the team while the cars still been developed?

Personally I think Vandoorne needs to go in a lower team to gain experience first then in the mclarens for 2018 when either Alonso or button leave

I think you're reasoning is bang-on. I'd suggest it's about 50/50 at the moment.

But Vandoorne may be the future, Button isn't. I think for Button to keep his seat Alonso would have to quit.

[lee_fr200]

Vandoorne maybe the future

But think about this if Button leaves mclaren for Vandoorne to take his seat then Alonso leaves at the end of 2017 mclarens will potentially be left with no wdc drivers for the first time in over 10yrs then if the car also doesn't perform their stock value plummets and same for sponsorship too

Their best bet would be

Keep jb and Alonso for 2017

Then entice Lewis back for 2018 to partner Vandoorne

Mercedes run will.end at some point and Vandoorne needs a year elsewhere I think with a guaranteed contract for 2018

[Norfolkit]

I think Vandoorne's CV is good enough to go straight into the team, can't see what's to be gained by farming him out now. He's been with the team all year, stood in for Alonso successfully, time to get him in there and to be honest I think the team could use some fresh blood, all seems a bit flat there at the minute. I can't see Alonso an Button both being there next year and Alonso's the one with the contract (I think).

[Nigel_O]

Interesting comment from Mark Webber on Channel 4 today to say that he could see Jenson in a Sports Car next year - that would be brilliant

[cgt2]

Nigel_O said:

Interesting comment from Mark Webber on Channel 4 today to say that he could see Jenson in a Sports Car next year - that would be brilliant

Which means a deal with Porsche may already be done. Webber's deal was signed nearly a year before it was made public (or Red Bull found out).

[JeremyH5]

He was banging on about that this time last year when Jenson's future at McLaren was in doubt. Deja vu.

[thegreenhell]

lee_fr200 said:

Vandoorne maybe the future

But think about this if Button leaves mclaren for Vandoorne to take his seat then Alonso leaves at the end of 2017 mclarens will potentially be left with no wdc drivers for the first time in over 10yrs then if the car also doesn't perform their stock value plummets and same for sponsorship too

Their best bet would be

Keep jb and Alonso for 2017

Then entice Lewis back for 2018 to partner Vandoorne

Mercedes run will.end at some point and Vandoorne needs a year elsewhere I think with a guaranteed contract for 2018

The problem with this is that they could lose both drivers at the end of 2017, and teams like continuity. If they really think they could lose Alonso at that time they're more likely to replace Button now so that his replacement will provide the continuity if/when Alonso leaves.

No chance of Lewis going back there. He's contracted to Mercedes until 2018, and I think he's more likely to retire than switch teams again.

[thegreenhell]

Button said recently that he'll be back racing at Spa next year, but was he referring to F1 or WEC?

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns34649.html

[rubystone]

Would JB break Bsrrichello's record for most F1 starts if he did another season? If so I'd think he might be tempted to aim for that, especially if he gets a 2 year deal with a half decent team?

[slipstream 1985]

I fail to see why Jenson would want to go to Williams. Mclaren are not a million miles off being as quick as them and next year williams will be further back. Williams are arguably considered the 5th best team now from 2nd best when the new engines came out.

[Crafty_]

Williams more or less said they aren't interested.

Mclaren or nowt imho.

[rubystone]

Crafty_ said:

Williams more or less said they aren't interested.

Mclaren or nowt imho.

Yes, seems to be the case. If he brought cash he might get Perez's seat, but he doesn't, so he won't.

[lee_fr200]

What did Williams say? I didn't catch it?

For jb I'm guessing it's retirement or mclaren but I don't see Ron Dennis letting go of stoff For a reserve driver he seems to be very much in the limelight all the time!

I do think though that jb deserves the drive with the last 2 yrs of the project been crap! He deserves the chance to try and get another wdc

[thegreenhell]

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns34667.html

[HustleRussell]

thegreenhell said:

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns34667.html

This, and Webber said only today on the C4 coverage that he expected Jenson not to race in F1 next year.

[lee_fr200]

I honestly believe mclaren will be making a mistake but time will tell

[Z3MCJez]

lee_fr200 said:

I honestly believe mclaren will be making a mistake but time will tell

I don't. Jensen isn't going to win another WDC and that is all that McLaren are interested in. Let him go in a controlled manner - keep him on good terms - and have him race something that isn't another F1 car, so that he can remain a "brand ambassador". With the VW man coming to McLaren, maybe a JB to Porsche - ha - I'll stop there. Too difficult to try to extract from the Honda relationship.

Jez