McLaren delay driver announcement until December

McLaren delay driver announcement until December

It has been announced yesterday evening that the McLaren Formula 1 team says it will not decide its 2015 driver line-up until next month at the earliest.

It has been heavily rumoured that Fernando Alonso will be to return to the team for the start of its new Honda era, but that McLaren is unwilling to make an announcement until it has chosen which of its existing drivers Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen stays on as the double F1 champion’s team-mate.

A statement issued by the McLaren team last night stated that it did not want the topic of its 2015 drivers to interfere with this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale. The McLaren's team statement is as follows:-

'Selecting the optimal driver line-up for a Formula 1 team is clearly an important process, and it is therefore one that requires precise and prolonged analysis.

'That being the case, and in order to avoid distracting the race team from its primary objective during the final grand prix weekend of the season, which is to secure the best possible on-track results, we have decided to defer our final deliberations relating to our 2015 driver line-up until a date no earlier than Monday December 1.'

Also, McLaren confirmed last night that it will bring “a range of aerodynamic upgrades” to Abu Dhabi as part of its development programme for both its current car and 2015.
The MP4-29H/1X1 took to the track for the first time on a filming day with test driver Oliver Turvey at Silverstone last Friday. McLaren also revealed that it will run its Honda-powered interim car again in the test sessions that follow the Abu Dhabi race, “subject to satisfactory final bench-testing.”

Overall, there has been no denying that McLaren during the season has stated that they would look into “very viable option” for their driver line up for the 2015 season and you can understand why that is the case due to the fact that the team always have aimed to get the strongest and potentially successful driver line up in their cars since they have entered Formula One.

However, I do understand why they have delayed their decision regarding their drivers until after the season is over but I am as a McLaren fan not happy about this. The reason why I am not happy is due to the fact that they must know their options and which drivers are available right now to join McLaren for 2015 and in the future too.

I do absolutely firmly believe that McLaren know who their drivers will be and cannot announce it for a number of reasons. The first reason being that McLaren are waiting for things to be contractually finalised with either one or both drivers. The second reason could be making sure that which line up they have secured for 2015 doesn't hinder one or both of their current drivers that are within the team chances of securing another drive in the sport or another form of motorsport or the fact that McLaren just cannot make their mind up about their drivers as of yet but I do not see this happening at all.

When the McLaren team announced this news on Twitter last night, many pundits and fans reaction was of shock and disbelief. Many pundits and fans replied back to the McLaren team on Twitter that they felt this was unjust to both Jenson and Kevin especially if Button is not to remain with the team for next season and will not get the send off he absolutely deserves after serving Formula One for fifteen years and the McLaren team for the last four years.

Even though Alonso could be heading back to the team next season, I do feel that it would be stupid to get rid of Button and Magnussen as I feel both deserve to be there next year. Button has connections with Honda which could prove beneficial and very handy as both parties resettle into their partnership once again. But ultimately the main reason why Button and Magnussen should be retained for 2015 is that they have the perfect balance of experience and youth to drive the team forward in their first season back with Honda and will provide McLaren with continuity and stability for at least one more season.

Finally, I would agree with the majority of fans who are not happy with McLaren's decision with their driver line up for 2015. But at the end of the day, there is nothing we can do about it apart from waiting and seeing on the 1st December who McLaren have selected for 2015 to drive for them and I do hope with all hope that Button and Magnussen are retained for next season, I really do.

Sarah Jones