Jenson Button to stay at McLaren!
UPDATE: McLaren confirms JB will partner Alonso. They're disagreeing already...
"Just woken up, what's going on?" Tweeted Button
Of course it's impossible to mention McLaren-Honda without Ayrton Senna. Alonso has described the Brazilian in his comments as "my favourite driver, my idol on track, my reference." Moreover, apparently denying rumours he will leave if results aren't immediately impressive, Alonso added: "I am joining this project with enormous enthusiasm and determination, knowing that it may require some time to achieve the results we are aiming for, which is no problem for me."
Alonso worships Senna, Button likes Prost - incendiary?
Button of course has a great deal of experience with Honda having used cars powered by them between 2003 and 2008. Of the new agreement he said: "Being a part of new-look McLaren-Honda is a wonderful opportunity for all of us... I am absolutely raring to go."
Next for the McLaren Honda team will be the Jerez testing in February ahead of the first race in Australia. Should be a good season!
Original story, as reported 0900h 11/12/2014:
There is nothing confirmed currently but it appears very likely that Jenson Button will be retained by McLaren for the 2015 F1 season. Following Fernando Alonso's return to the team there has been endless speculation about whether Button or Kevin Magnussen will partner him. Now many news reports are stating that Button will officially be announced as Alonso's team mate later this morning.
All smiles at McLaren, for now at least
It has also been said that Button will only be on a one-year deal with a salary 'reduced by at least half' from his 2014 wage. There has been no comment from either Button or Magnussen on the impending announcement. We'll update the story as soon as there's anything new!
Button is staying!
Guess his backers and the fact the that he is accepting a salary at a reported half of his previous £12m a year says it all.
Let's hope they keep Magnusson as back up driver, he's one for the future.
But watch Alonso walk after one season if the car doesn't produce the goods; it will be the cars fault of course, not the driver of that happens.......
(Ron, I'd have done it for £2mil, just saying')
Serious, I hope this is true- JB and FA (whatever you think) has to be the strongest pairing on the grid and if Honda pull one out of the bag things could get interesting.
According to the BBC, Ron was backing Magnessun as he had much more $$$ to bring to the pot with his Danish backers. I'm glad the board saw otherwise and chose JB!
ts.
I feel sorry for Kev Magnussen he had a more than solid rookie year against a former WDC and hardly embarrassed himself, now he's left without a seat long after all the others have been taken. I hope McL haven't cost him his F1 career.
Which is as it should be, given the age difference.
I really like JB as a person, but I'd rather have seen KM get the nod instead. He could learn a huge amount from driving alongside Alonso in a season.
Don't get me wrong, I like JB, but he's not exciting or bringing anything to the sport that makes me want to watch it
Button is about the only driver who appears to have a personality and even has the temerity to express an opinion. He can drive a bit too.
Its not by much admittedly but they are IMVHO the best pairing.
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