2016 McLaren F1 Team - Honda

[-wkst-]

I don't know why people still believe that Button could come back for 2018. He will be 38 then, a year out of the sport. If Alonso leaves after 2017 they will look at the market and give the seat to someone who performed well in 2017. Maybe even someone like Ricciardo if McLaren isn't that bad and he gets tired of the Verstappen-mania.

[Chuckjr]

I think it would be insulting to Macca’s driver development program and other experienced drivers on the grid already if the team chooses to take a one year out of the car 38 year old semi-retired driver over whoever is at the top in 2018. Don’t get me wrong, Button has been a superb driver with a stellar career that most any driver would envy, but good gosh paying him all that money to have him as insurance for Alonso? Is Button going to be the only viable option in 2018? Come on.

[CjC]

I understand why Jenson has took this option, decent money (better than Williams) and still involved with the honda project.
He's been with Honda for some years so happen Honda wanted to pay for him to stay?
For me there are no seats open in a more competitive package next season so maybe JB doesn't want to take a step back down the grid.
JB should have retired and become an 'ambassador' like Coulthard did in 08/09.
I also believe we won't see JB in a car again after this season either.
When Alonso decides to retire I hope that Danny Ric replaces him.

[lebesset]

as we all know jb came to the team at MW's instigation and was never flavour of the month with ron
so why is he still going to be still there ?
alonso is cheap thanks to honda , stoffel can't be kept hanging about any longer because that would leave the team with 2 drivers in their mid 30's
so this looks like a clever move by the team
from jb's point of view it leaves open the possibility of doing an alain prost [ if there is a fitter driver than jb I would be amazed ]
no wonder he turned down team willie ...a semi sabbatical after 17 years straight sounds like a goal to me

will honda really want to continue paying alonso after this contract ? don't see it , he hasn't exactly put button in the shade in a poor car , has he ; no reason he should in a good one

[hemichromis]

I understand why Jenson has took this option, decent money (better than Williams) and still involved with the honda project.
He's been with Honda for some years so happen Honda wanted to pay for him to stay?
For me there are no seats open in a more competitive package next season so maybe JB doesn't want to take a step back down the grid.
JB should have retired and become an 'ambassador' like Coulthard did in 08/09.
I also believe we won't see JB in a car again after this season either.
When Alonso decides to retire I hope that Danny Ric replaces him.

It will be the same 'Daniel is under a multi-year contract ' from red bull until he gives them 4 championships!

[rscsr]

I understand why Jenson has took this option, decent money (better than Williams) and still involved with the honda project.
He's been with Honda for some years so happen Honda wanted to pay for him to stay?
For me there are no seats open in a more competitive package next season so maybe JB doesn't want to take a step back down the grid.
JB should have retired and become an 'ambassador' like Coulthard did in 08/09.
I also believe we won't see JB in a car again after this season either.
When Alonso decides to retire I hope that Danny Ric replaces him.

It will be the same 'Daniel is under a multi-year contract ' from red bull until he gives them 4 championships!

I thought that they basically have a one year contract when they get a full year drive with an option for Red Bull to extend it for a year (4 times). So Ricciardo should be available, since he is currently fullfilling his 5th year.

[diffuser]

Chassis can flatter a driver(make him look better than he is ) or the opposite. I've (probably we) seen Ricardo do some pretty amazing moves over at RBR. Mainly out braking and out manovering the opposition (which is expected in a RBR chassis). I'm sure he'd be a welcome addition. He also has a very positive outlook which is refreshing.

In my opinion the jury is still out on Max "WhatHappened" Verstappen. He's on Step 2 (learn to play nice with others).

Little off topic sorry.

[Jolle]

Just imagine, after two GP's Alonso calls it quits (he's quite vocal about two things: that he's going to finish his contract and that if the car(s) aren't good, he's gone). There is no on-hand star available at the moment, like for instance in '94 when Williams called on Mansell.

Strangely enough, Maldonado would almost be an option.... The Martin Brundles of these years are all on contract with Ferrari (Vergne) or RedBull (Buemi).

[CjC]

Can this stop the chassis vs PU argument of who's holding who back please!?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.ph ... ng-on-2017

[zac510]

The JB sabbatical reminds me of Hakkinen's. The exact same thing; taking a sabbatical, not retirement. Never saw him in (F1) overalls ever again. I suppose we will if there's an injury of some type, but that's pretty unlikely.

[nevill3]

JB is staying at McLaren for two or three reasons.
The first is so that he doesn't take all the inside info he has about the Honda engine and McLaren chassis to another rival, I believe Ron has been extremely clever in keeping him "in house".
Second is his immense experience which will be invaluable as the development driver for next years new regulations.
Third is he loves McLaren and if I had been offered the deal he has been in the twilight of a career driving I too would have jumped at it. JB has been around more than long enough to appreciate a golden opportunity when it presents itself.

He has said he has had enough of Bernie's circus timetable monopolising his life, yet he still loves F1 and racing so this deal gives him the best of both worlds, he gets to keep his finger in the pie whilst having more time to develop his other interests that will eventually become his next career/hobby.

Good Luck JB maybe in a year or two you will be in a position to take over Bernie's job!!!!!

[NL_Fer]

Aren't underestimating simulator work these days? I believe the teams CFD computers need a lot of info from a real driver runing the testbed.

[ScottB]

I pretty much took the JB deal as an insurance policy in case Fernando doesn't fancy it after testing the 2017 car.

An unlikely situation, one would think / hope, but I can see the logic. As well as having him around for sponsors etc.

[Jolle]

Button on Top Gear next season? .They have a seat left over there....

[PlatinumZealot]

I pretty much took the JB deal as an insurance policy in case Fernando doesn't fancy it after testing the 2017 car.

An unlikely situation, one would think / hope, but I can see the logic. As well as having him around for sponsors etc.

This!
Ron always said Mclaren should always have a world champion in the seat.