F1 2015 - Teams and Drivers - Who goes where?!

Just a thought about all the flack McLaren are getting. Are we being unfair? Isn't it Alonsos fault?

If we assume that they would run JB and Magnussen next year if they didn't sign Alonso, then it makes sense that they won't decide who to drop until they have signed Alonso, as they might need to keep both. In which case the whole delay is caused by Alonso taking forever to sort his stuff out. So should we be blaming Alonso rather than McLaren? McLaren are hardly going to decide to drop one of their drivers without having a replacement signed.
 
If you believe the rumours of the last 10 days or so Alonso has already signed for McLaren, but they want to announce both drivers together. If McLaren are still deciding or negotiating with the second driver, it suggests to me that they want to keep Button alongside Alonso, but are trying to bring his salary down.
 
"McLaren have dispensed with the services of their test driver Gary Paffett today. It is probable that because Paffett remains part of the German DTM programme with Mercedes. Having developed high end Mercedes sports cars together and Mercedes holding some 40% of McLaren for some time – the final divorce settlement between the parties includes in the detail, the services of the team’s test driver who joined them in 2006.

“I’ve loved working for McLaren”, said the 33 year old British driver, “and hope my feedback and input over the years has been beneficial.

“The engineers I’ve worked with have been kind enough to say that it has.

“I have many friends at McLaren, and I wish all of them the very best of luck for the future. Fingers crossed for a McLaren grand prix win or two next year!”

Acting CEO for the Woking team commented that, “Gary has been an excellent member of the McLaren team for the best part of a decade, and his technical input, on test track and in simulator alike, has been hugely important to us. Just as important, he’s a great guy. We wish him well.”

Oliver Turvey, the team’s other test drive, took a prototype of the 2015 and the new Honda engine for a spin during a filming day on Friday at Silverstone.

There is speculation that Kevin Magnussen may now make way for Fernando Alonso and return to testing duties alongside Turvey for a season, with Jenson Button retaining his race seat after all.

Jenson recently reduced significantly his remuneration demands, in a bid to retain his drive with McLaren as they move into the new Honda engine partnership era."

http://thejudge13.com/2014/11/17/f1-daily-news-and-comment-monday-17th-november-2014/

This all makes perfect sense imo. Sounds like the right thing to do and the most sensible option Mclaren could choose.
 
McLaren just tweeted "Guys, we know you're awaiting news on our driver line-up. We'll announce after Dec 1 – you'll hear it here first. All eyes now on Abu Dhabi."

Out ******* rageous.

If Jenson's dropped and he doesn't get a proper send off courtesy of Mclaren and their shameful contract talks then I'll literally go down to the MTC and take a **** in the lake.
 
they renew contracts on Dec 1 - seems a very strange date if you ask me.

There must be some (other) reason to that particular date - even sponsors would probably be signed to the 31st surely?
 
FrankJH said:
they renew contracts on Dec 1 - seems a very strange date if you ask me.

There must be some (other) reason to that particular date - even sponsors would probably be signed to the 31st surely?
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Hamiltons set to have talks with Merc on Monday after Abu Double...

So that means Mclaren are waiting to see if he falls out with them / doesnt win the WDC / fancies doing a Senna ( its his idle after all) ....

But like I say if they drop Jenson without giving him the send off he deserves and letting all his fans know it's his last GP... that'd make me sick to my stomach.
 
smr said:
Hamiltons set to have talks with Merc on Monday after Abu Double....
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Either way - these talks aren't likely to be smooth for either/both parties imo (and unlikely to be settled by 1st Dec)......admittedly re-reading the tweet it says "after the 1st" which could mean the 10th Jan or whatever .....

smr said:
So that means Mclaren are waiting to see if he falls out with them / doesnt win the WDC / fancies doing a Senna ( its his idle after all) .....
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Either way I cant see LH wanting to go back to McLaren enough to sign any kind of deal with an as yet unknown engine in the package.

smr said:
But like I say if they drop Jenson without giving him the send off he deserves and letting all his fans know it's his last GP... that'd make me sick to my stomach.
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Totally agree with you on this though
 
Hamilton would be nuts to go back there even if they offered to make him the highest paid driver of all time. Let Alonso go there if you're Hamilton, he's desperate, Hamilton isn't. Alonso literally has no real bargaining position, he either signs for mclaren or he doesn't have a drive.
 
i agree he'd be mad to go back there and give up the best car and what will most likely be the best car in 2016.... but then why are mclaren holding up... there's no way they can't have all the analysis they need between but and mag.... they dont need one more race to see who they want to keep out of the two of them.

I am absolutely perplexed, this is turning into the biggest mystery F1 has ever given its fans!
 
McLaren will be running the Honda Hybrid at the post race Abu Dhabi test, and just lost their test driver. Perhaps they are postponing the driver announcement so they actually have someone to drive the car.
 
Skeeter said:
McLaren will be running the Honda Hybrid at the post race Abu Dhabi test, and just lost their test driver. Perhaps they are postponing the driver announcement so they actually have someone to drive the car.
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Not quite, Oliver Turvey is/has been a test driver and did the test with the new engine last week.
 
MagicBoy said:
Refused to sign a season long contract for 1993. Was presented as a race by race deal for $1m.
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OK.

But how does that relate to Hamilton?

Senna was in a McLaren which was getting spanked by Williams. Senna was begging Williams to sign him.

For Hamilton's situation, he is in the best car. He doesnt need to sign a race by race deal. In fact, he will want to sign as long a contract with Merc, as possible.

My understanding is that McLaren are waiting for Alonso to make up his mind. The wait is not upto McLaren, but Alonso.
Alonso wants to wait and see how Merc's contract talks with Hamilton go. If Merc and Hamilton can't reach an agreement, then Alonso will try and strike a deal with Merc.
Of course, nobody on the outside knows the absolute truth.
 
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