While we all know that Honda is delivering McLaren’s powertrain from the 2015 season and onwards, their driver line-up has been kept in the dark for quite a while. And it still is uncertain, as if McLaren wants to keep their drivers of Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen, or if they want to head in a brand new direction. The speculations are high, with Fernando Alonso being able on the drivers market and the GP2 protégé Stoffel Vandoorne possibly deserving a shot on the top division of motorsport as well.
McLaren race director Eric Boullier met Formula1.com in an exclusive interview, talking about their minds not yet made up, and their planning ahead for the future of McLaren. When asked about whether Alonso is set to make a return to the Woking outfit, or if they are close to a 2015 announcement at all, Boullier were quick to play down any rumours: “There is still no decision yet. We need a mix of experience and eagerness. In this time of recovery for McLaren I need a boost, so our driver line-up needs to be boosting the team’s morale and team’s determination to reach as quickly as possible the level where we should be.”
Boullier says he takes comfort in their current position, which makes it possible for them to wait and delay any decision or announcement until they’re ready. He knows it’s not the ideal situation for Button and Magnussen, but insists he has to think about McLaren first, to make the right decisions.
“We are still assessing what we should do, as it is a big decision that will obviously be driving our success for the medium term. If we take the wrong decision we could be successful in the short term but maybe not in the long term. And we are in the comfortable position of being able to wait. I know that doesn’t make it comfortable for Jenson and Kevin, but I have to think about McLaren first. We have to make sure we make the right decision.”
Boullier also stated that in the winter there would be changes at McLaren, as it should be a “period of stability” for the team.
McLaren currently lies 5th in the Constructors Championship with 143 points, 20 points ahead of Force India after a 4th and 5th finish for the team in Sochi.
