Jensons future
Discussion
skwdenyer said:
And McLaren / sponsors get a very media-friendly front man for English and Japanese speaking markets, which is likely to be important in keeping said sponsors more contented despite lack of performance recently.
Taking this statement a step further. I think they'll be paying him 25% of his 2016 purse and I'm sure that RD has sold this to Honda so well that they will be footing the bill.Quickmoose said:
I think he'd laugh his socks off, reading comments about his 'dignity' status, from us keyboard warriors...
Agree with this 100%. That was not a guy gutted with some rubbish deal yesterday, and Jenson rarely hides his emotions well so I have no doubt he's very happy given the circumstances.Presumably a handsome wage to still have a fully funded fitness programme around him, keep his hand in with top level motorsport AND have the time to do pretty much what he likes within the confines of his contract (I would guess some punditry, plenty of triathlons and build whatever brand/empire he wants when he fully cuts ties with F1).
McLaren get a top, top driver still on the books with decades of knowledge and experience who will still have huge marketing pull even though he's not in a car.
Win-win, in my view. No dignity lost in 'fading' away from F1, not everyone needs a set date and a party to say goodbye.
Are McLaren returning to the WEC with the 650s? or has that been binned off? The WEC schedule isn't anywhere near as demanding as F1. Put a few bums on seats if they even roll out a part time program with him as one of the drivers.
Either way, I can't see him getting back into an F1 car unless one of the other two gets sick, injured or Vandoorne turns out pants. Shame really, but after 17 years, I think as has been said he's laughing all the way to the bank.
Either way, I can't see him getting back into an F1 car unless one of the other two gets sick, injured or Vandoorne turns out pants. Shame really, but after 17 years, I think as has been said he's laughing all the way to the bank.
Dr Z said:
The deal is interesting...it shows that JB really thinks McLaren could be a force once again in the coming years otherwise Williams was beckoning. It would be funny if Alonso gets bored in 2017 and leaves only for JB to return in 2018 when McLaren have a consistent race winning car!
For me it says that they want Alonso to be kept honest come negotiation time and, if it doesn't work out, they can install Button as a stop-gap.Honda need to deliver now, as McLaren can't afford to have both a poor engine next year.
skwdenyer said:
In his early days, he was racing against Jos Verstappen; now he's racing against Max. That puts thing in perspective 
Let's not forget that along the way he's had a few long-term relationships that didn't last, one which turned into a marriage that definitely didn't last, and he's lost his much-loved Dad. Taking a pause and taking stock don't seem like dishonourable things to do.
To be honest stopping and saying 'I have had enough - because I Just have' isn't exactly dishonourable!Let's not forget that along the way he's had a few long-term relationships that didn't last, one which turned into a marriage that definitely didn't last, and he's lost his much-loved Dad. Taking a pause and taking stock don't seem like dishonourable things to do.
lee_fr200 said:
I rly think they've promoted stoffel at the wrong time! The car needs development direction and consistency
What they don't need is a rookie in such a high pressure team
Maybe they promoted him because they were worried toto would take him under his wing! He basically threatened that
He's Ron Dennis' 21st Century Mike Hakkinen. Feel free to do the research on what I mean by that. If JB replaces anyone in 2018, it'll be Alonso.What they don't need is a rookie in such a high pressure team
Maybe they promoted him because they were worried toto would take him under his wing! He basically threatened that
rubystone said:
lee_fr200 said:
I rly think they've promoted stoffel at the wrong time! The car needs development direction and consistency
What they don't need is a rookie in such a high pressure team
Maybe they promoted him because they were worried toto would take him under his wing! He basically threatened that
He's Ron Dennis' 21st Century Mike Hakkinen. Feel free to do the research on what I mean by that. If JB replaces anyone in 2018, it'll be Alonso.What they don't need is a rookie in such a high pressure team
Maybe they promoted him because they were worried toto would take him under his wing! He basically threatened that
Likes Fast Cars said:
So you're saying SvD will spend his career at Macca?
Certainly 17 & 18. It might change if RD is ultimately unsuccessful in exercising the option to buy out the investors. It seems to have gone quiet on that front. I'm not sure whether he's rebuilt his relationship with Ojjeh either.marshall100 said:
Are McLaren returning to the WEC with the 650s? or has that been binned off? The WEC schedule isn't anywhere near as demanding as F1. Put a few bums on seats if they even roll out a part time program with him as one of the drivers.
Either way, I can't see him getting back into an F1 car unless one of the other two gets sick, injured or Vandoorne turns out pants. Shame really, but after 17 years, I think as has been said he's laughing all the way to the bank.
If he did do WEC wouldn't he prefer going into LMP1 with or against webber?!Either way, I can't see him getting back into an F1 car unless one of the other two gets sick, injured or Vandoorne turns out pants. Shame really, but after 17 years, I think as has been said he's laughing all the way to the bank.
sirtyro said:
marshall100 said:
Are McLaren returning to the WEC with the 650s? or has that been binned off? The WEC schedule isn't anywhere near as demanding as F1. Put a few bums on seats if they even roll out a part time program with him as one of the drivers.
Either way, I can't see him getting back into an F1 car unless one of the other two gets sick, injured or Vandoorne turns out pants. Shame really, but after 17 years, I think as has been said he's laughing all the way to the bank.
If he did do WEC wouldn't he prefer going into LMP1 with or against webber?!Either way, I can't see him getting back into an F1 car unless one of the other two gets sick, injured or Vandoorne turns out pants. Shame really, but after 17 years, I think as has been said he's laughing all the way to the bank.
rscott said:
sirtyro said:
marshall100 said:
Are McLaren returning to the WEC with the 650s? or has that been binned off? The WEC schedule isn't anywhere near as demanding as F1. Put a few bums on seats if they even roll out a part time program with him as one of the drivers.
Either way, I can't see him getting back into an F1 car unless one of the other two gets sick, injured or Vandoorne turns out pants. Shame really, but after 17 years, I think as has been said he's laughing all the way to the bank.
If he did do WEC wouldn't he prefer going into LMP1 with or against webber?!Either way, I can't see him getting back into an F1 car unless one of the other two gets sick, injured or Vandoorne turns out pants. Shame really, but after 17 years, I think as has been said he's laughing all the way to the bank.
Interesting piece on Stoffel
http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12479/10567915/st...
'He not only out-qualified ex-world champion Jenson Button on his debut, but also pointed out a car trait that trapped it in a certain set-up window. This analysis informed the operation of the car at subsequent races.
That he scored a point in the race was just the icing on the cake. He had already made a major impression on Ron Dennis and almost from the moment of his qualifying lap, his place in McLaren's 2017 plans seemed assured.'
http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12479/10567915/st...
'He not only out-qualified ex-world champion Jenson Button on his debut, but also pointed out a car trait that trapped it in a certain set-up window. This analysis informed the operation of the car at subsequent races.
That he scored a point in the race was just the icing on the cake. He had already made a major impression on Ron Dennis and almost from the moment of his qualifying lap, his place in McLaren's 2017 plans seemed assured.'
slipstream 1985 said:
some rainmaster today...
One of the worst cars he's ever been given, on a miserable wet day, when he knows he's 1 race from retirement.I don't think I could be arsed, either.
Today showed just how dreadful that car is. A day when horsepower was secondary to chassis and aero, they still finished way off the pace with both cars.
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