JPM's contract

jgredline · Post 19 Jan 2006, 03:19

does anybody know when JPM's contract is up at Mclaren

Ciro Pabón · Post 19 Jan 2006, 12:05

McLaren has an "option" on JPM in 2007. I read in colombian newspapers that, precisely today, this option expired and JPM did not receive any offer from McLaren. This means that the only driver confirmed in McLaren 2007 is Fernando Alonso. You can read the story (in spanish) at

http://eltiempo.terra.com.co/depo/depof ... 99189.html

RH1300S · Post 19 Jan 2006, 12:14

I heard slightly different. Both Kimi & JPM have not TAKEN their option at McLaren.

This leaves the enticing prospect that either/both could end up elsewhere - and I should imagine an interesting ame of "how much you gonna pay me" poker with Ron

Opens up the interesting thought of JPM in a Newey Red Bull - seems to me that JPM could be a good fit for Red Bull's image

Ciro Pabón · Post 19 Jan 2006, 19:58

Thanks, RH1300S. But do you know if it is true that this option expired today for JPM and Kimmi?

And, yes, I know, you could pull a Button manouver

, but, if it expired and it means something, then we are going to have an interesting "contract season". I have not been able to find anything on the subject besides El Tiempo's article.

dumrick · Post 20 Jan 2006, 01:20

That makes sense in both ways:

- McLaren, having signed for 2007 with the current world champion, is interested in leaving the seat vacant, since it's a top drive and by the middle of the season they should be in a better position to negotiate with potential top drivers without a drive;

- Both Montoya and Raikkonen have other teams interested and Ron has said that he wishes to sign for 2007 the 2005 and 2006 champions. They can either make good money elsewhere or, if they are ahead in the championship, have a strong position towards McLaren.

So, I don't believe either party would take the option in the current standing...

jgredline · Post 20 Jan 2006, 05:38

Well hopefully Ron will not favor Kimi over JPM. Given an equal oppertunity I believe that JPM will not only give Kimi a run for the money, but will get the best of him. Kimi has been with Mclaren for a very long time and JPM just started to get used the new machine. I suspect Kimi will somehow end up with the better equipment. This after all is Ron's way.

DaveKillens · Post 20 Jan 2006, 07:07

Ron has Fernando in '07, and this is a major influence towards Kimi and JPM. Ron can afford to have his drivers race for a seat next year, notwithstanding if Kimi does have a secret contract with another team for next season. And no matter how well Kimi of JPM do, he can tell them to accept a lower salary offer in '07, or to walk. With Fernando, he has a world champion, and with all due respect to all the other drivers, Ron can get a cheap driver for '07 for the second car.

dumrick · Post 20 Jan 2006, 11:14

jgredline wrote:Well hopefully Ron will not favor Kimi over JPM. Given an equal oppertunity I believe that JPM will not only give Kimi a run for the money, but will get the best of him. Kimi has been with Mclaren for a very long time and JPM just started to get used the new machine. I suspect Kimi will somehow end up with the better equipment. This after all is Ron's way.

That's nonsense. McLaren has always been considered has a team that treats both drivers in equal manner.

It has been that way since the Prost / Lauda, Prost / Senna, Hakkinen / Coulthard years, just to mention some driving pairings where both had title hopes.

RH1300S · Post 20 Jan 2006, 13:13

DaveKillens wrote:Ron has Fernando in '07, and this is a major influence towards Kimi and JPM. Ron can afford to have his drivers race for a seat next year, notwithstanding if Kimi does have a secret contract with another team for next season. And no matter how well Kimi of JPM do, he can tell them to accept a lower salary offer in '07, or to walk. With Fernando, he has a world champion, and with all due respect to all the other drivers, Ron can get a cheap driver for '07 for the second car.

OR you might argue that Ron wants the best possible drivers in the car (that has always been his way, not least because they won't be driving for someone else

). In which case, JPM & Kimi will have a strong hand to play.

jgredline · Post 20 Jan 2006, 20:20

That's nonsense. McLaren has always been considered has a team that treats both drivers in equal manner.

It has been that way since the Prost / Lauda, Prost / Senna, Hakkinen / Coulthard years, just to mention some driving pairings where both had title hopes.

I hope your right.
I just had a Michael Andretti / Senna flash back when senna hinself said Michael never recieved the backing he deserved. While I do remember that testing was limited in his first year with Mclaren, he could have tested at non FIA tracks to get used to the car and in particular the brakes.
Hopefully Dennis will be fair.[/quote]

emburmak · Post 23 Jan 2006, 13:03

I hope too! Let's see KR vs JPM in a straight fight!! May the best man win.