Jenson button status

[andy355]

Haven't been following this closel but given jb contract wih Mclarens was a Ron Dennis agreement is he still ambassador / reserve driver for 17?

On the basis that Alonso running away is looking possible - though he wouldn't want to jeopardise a top drive for next year

[LordGrover]

Mika's just taken an ambassadorial role of some kind, hasn't he?

[Vocal Minority]

andy355 said:

Haven't been following this closel but given jb contract wih Mclarens was a Ron Dennis agreement is he still ambassador / reserve driver for 17?

Contract's a contract. It would have been made with McLaren as a body corporate, not Ron.

He may have quietly taken a massive bung to go away quietly - but he's too popular to do away with as a brand ambassador or whatever they call it.

People warm to him, so he's useful.

Anyway, wasn't Ron in the out camp re: JB anyway?

[andy355]

Just wondering if Alonso offs then whether jb is still the back up or whether it was just promo work

Would like to see him back. But not so much in a Honda

[Muzzer79]

The premise was that if Alonso jacked it in, then JB would step in. Ergo, McLaren would not be without a former WDC.

I can't see Jenson coming back tbh, even if Alonso goes. Once you're gone, you're gone and who'd want to drive that?

He's had enough years trundling around at the back.

[F1GTRUeno]

In the final race last year it was pretty obvious JB was done with F1.

I don't think you'll ever see him on an F1 grid again.

[DanielSan]

F1GTRUeno said:

In the final race last year it was pretty obvious JB was done with F1.

I don't think you'll ever see him on an F1 grid again.

Very much this. He even said in his slightly inebriated interview after the race it was a shame the last one didn't last longer, or something like that anyway. He was busy trying to get all his mates out of the paddock with his spare race overalls at the time

Looking forward to seeing how he goes in that rallycross car this year though.

[tuffer]

Muzzer79 said:

I can't see Jenson coming back tbh, even if Alonso goes. Once you're gone, you're gone and who'd want to drive that?

Cough Massa /Cough

[rev-erend]

tuffer said:

Muzzer79 said:

I can't see Jenson coming back tbh, even if Alonso goes. Once you're gone, you're gone and who'd want to drive that?

Cough Massa /Cough

Cough Kimi.

[tuffer]

rev-erend said:

tuffer said:

Muzzer79 said:

I can't see Jenson coming back tbh, even if Alonso goes. Once you're gone, you're gone and who'd want to drive that?

Cough Massa /Cough

Cough Kimi.

Cough Mansell......

[AJB88]

tuffer said:

Cough Mansell......

Cough Michael ......

[geeks]

Didnt both Lauda and Prost do that as well?

[Muzzer79]

tuffer said:

rev-erend said:

tuffer said:

Muzzer79 said:

I can't see Jenson coming back tbh, even if Alonso goes. Once you're gone, you're gone and who'd want to drive that?

Cough Massa /Cough

Cough Kimi.

Cough Mansell......

Should've said if you're sensible then you're gone.

The only one I can think of who did well on returning from retirement was Lauda.

[Crafty_]

McLaren just put him on a retainer to cover Alonso saying "fk this" and walking. Works for everyone, JB gets some money to top up the pension for doing sweet FA, Mclaren have a bit of insurance on Fred.

[jamiebae]

Assuming Fernando sticks it out for the first few races I think you're more likely to see Nyck deVries in the car (if he doesn't make a total pigs ear of his first couple of GP2 races) as he seems to have enough points for a Super Licence and if the situation is that bad MCL may as well stick a young gun in the car and try to get some coverage that way.

[lee_fr200]

They won't do that as sponsors will bail!

Mclaren always want or need a wdc driver that's what brings the money in

Jenson is s known entity and a wdc and he's good for pr

[Crafty_]

So good that they dumped him for Vandoorne...

I don't think you can rely on any "they always..." since Ron has gone. They are intent on doing the exact opposite of previous form.

[jamiebae]

lee_fr200 said:

They won't do that as sponsors will bail!

Mclaren always want or need a wdc driver that's what brings the money in

Jenson is s known entity and a wdc and he's good for pr

Which sponsors?

The team is basically funded by Honda right now, and as an F1 sponsor the main benefit is the branding on the car (media coverage) and access to F1 for clients and senior people to do business. Yes, Jenson is a good brand ambassador in the UK but in the USA, France or Italy it doesn't make much difference if it's him or Stoffel. They'd rather have £10m in the bank and take the new option in the hope he does something spectacular rather than plumping for Jenson based on his previous record I think.