After a long period of deliberation behind closed doors, the identity of McLaren’s 2015 driver line-up has been officially announced.
Fernando Alonso having departed Ferrari, will be joined by current McLaren driver Jenson Button as the two drivers who will race the new McLaren-Honda next year. 2014 rookie Kevin Magnussen will also remain with the team, but has been demoted to a test/reserve driver role.
Alonso, who previously drove for the prestigious team in 2007 said during the team’s media conference that “Now I arrive to finish the job that I started in 2007.”
The Spaniard parted with McLaren after just one season, with the dual-world champion having fallen out with then team principal Ron Dennis and then rookie Lewis Hamilton.
“So now, some years later, you are more mature, you learn things, you understand things you didn’t know at 25 years old,” Alonso emphasised.
Button, who will embark upon his sixth season for McLaren in 2015 said during the conference that his ‘heart is with McLaren’ and when asked what he felt about having to wait for the team to make a decision, he replied “Sometimes the best things in life are worth waiting for.”
2015 will serve as an important year for McLaren. With the emphasis in this new hybrid turbo era of Formula One being on the power-unit itself, having the factory team benefits such as the Mercedes AMG squad had in 2014 will prove crucial in being a top contender.
In Alonso and Button, McLaren have two world champions and a wealth of experience which spans across over a decade.
The 33 year old, dual-world champion has proved during his unsuccessful five-year stint at Ferrari that he can outdrive any piece of machinery, most notably seen with the F2012 and this year’s F14 T which he achieved only two podiums with.
The 34 year old, 2009 world champion is highly known for his smooth, gentlemen-like driving style. Which has also proved a successful approach in wet races too.
Button’s previous experience with Honda and knowledge with this year MP4-29 chassis will also be an asset in aiding the team’s development over the next twelve months.
CEO Ron Dennis himself said in team’s press release that “I can safely say, therefore, that we now have by an order of magnitude the best driver line-up of any current Formula One team,” meaning that it is up to the team now to deliver a package that combined with the two drivers can deliver the required results.
In Honda, McLaren can look to the success of the past. Between 1988 and 1992, the pair won a total of eight world championships, 44 grand prix and 53 pole positions.
During the 1988 season alone, McLaren-Honda won 15 out of the 16 races, with triple world champion Ayrton Senna winning his first championship.
And it is that success that has lured the Japanese manufacturer to return to the sport during the start of the new hybrid turbo era.
With the team’s last win having came over two years ago in the hands of Button, McLaren need to be ‘in it to win it’ come the start of the 2015 championship.
Even if they are unable to emulate this partnership’s success in their first iteration back in 1988, they need to make a substantial impression on the championship in order to return to the winner’s circle.
The competition will be tough in 2015 in the form of Mercedes AMG, Williams, Red Bull and Ferrari, but in terms of their driver line-up, McLaren have a winning formula.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Even Jenson whilst Lewis was taking pole positions between 2010-2012 in strong qualifying cars, he only managed one pole position in that time. Hence why it could be interesting to see if both McLaren drivers step up their efforts in qualifying. Having said that, points are awarded on the Sunday, but it'd look better for the package of it can produced good qualifying results.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
As you say re-qualifying - Fernando never set the world on fire at Ferrari on Saturdays - as much as the car was inferior, usually ending up somewhere P4-7, it could be a tight contest between the pair. Race days, Jenson will have his work cut out. Yes it can't be stated enough, with the 2015 being Allison's first fully inspired creation, there is cause for optimism. Signs of the old Kimi presented itself in the latter stages of 2014, if the package does its' part, a motivated Kimi will go a long way to seeing him back in prominence.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Sorry but Button's not getting anyway near Alonso. Alonso has humiliated Kimi in 2014, and Kimi many leagues above Button - who lets be clear is the worst world champion in F1 history. Alonso will put Button in his place eg clear #2 driver
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Jenson should have the upper hand initially, whilst Fernando will still be learning about the car. But he should get the edge soon enough. Both drivers should spur each other on, which could see Jenson perhaps step up too in the areas where he is lacking. Both anyway have been quite weak in qualifying over the past few years so watching them qualify will be interesting in the MP4-30. Those two line-ups should be great to look out for next year. The Kimi/Fernando partnership this year was very disappointing, but if Ferrari had a better car it'd have been better. Sebastian and Kimi should be one to look out for too, James Allison produces a decent package.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
I do believe that we will see Alonso on the top step of the podium at least once next season, regardless of the manner in which the circumstance may prove itself, he'll make it happen. Beyond that, it's a journey into the unknown. What will be curious is if Button does get the better of Alonso - at least initially, whether fireworks are produced. Yet as you say, and the man himself remarked, he's matured a lot - 2007 is a distant memory, you'd have to think he'd be prepared to allow 2015 to deliver what comes and focus on 2016 and beyond for a genuine tilt at that elusive title. The line-up itself on paper at least is the most impressive, though Ricciardo and Kvyat has potential written all over so long as Newey delivers a final gem.