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Alonso Close to Sign With McLaren, Magnussen to Leave Because of Honda

Formula 1 these days is not about the driving talent, nor the screaming V12 engines of days long gone. The sport is riddled with financial troubles and the drivers are more attracted by the monetary side of the deal than racing at full potential for points, fame and to prove they are the most talented in the world.
Fernando Alonso 1 photo
Photo: Scuderia Ferrari on Facebook
Not only that, but the grid is full of rookie drivers that lack talent. Thank God mum or dad are rich enough to have lobbied for their kiddies to get to Formula 1. All things considered, the motorsport finds itself swimming in lukewarm waters at the present moment. The latest bit of questionable info comes in the form of McLaren’s drivers for 2015.

According to a BBC report that cites insider information, Fernando Alonso will jump ship from Scuderia Ferrari to the British outfit due to many years of disappointing cars. Negotiations between the 33-year-old Spaniard and McLaren are nearly over, with only the fine details left to be discussed. Apparently, Alonso will sign a three-year (2+1) contract, but that’s a big problem for McLaren’s Jenson Button.

People close to McLaren are pointing out Jenson is going to switch to World Endurance Racing because the Brit will be ousted out of Formula 1 racing due Alonso’s imminent deal with the Woking-based racing team. Currently the most experienced driver on the grid, Button is a true veteran that won the 2009 drivers’ championship. We’re pretty sure he can take care of himself in WEC racing if the change will happen, but there’s a rumor according to which his young, Danish teammate at McLaren is also at risk.

A tweet from @pitlanetalk that doesn’t cite any sources, be them more or less official, implies that “Magnussen's spot is also at risk. Honda wants a completely different lineup and McLaren have 2 other drivers they talking with.” Due to the fact McLaren is in desperate need of a title sponsor and a better hybrid power unit, Honda’s deal with the British team for 2015 might also have a fine print according to which the engine supplier from Japan has the last word in selecting the McLaren team's drivers lineup.

It's anybody's guess who are those two potential replacement drivers for Magnussen, but the whole situation is a big damn shame, to be completely frank. 22-year-old Kevin Magnussen is in its first year of Formula 1 racing, yet the Danish driver scored 53 points to date, which is spectacular for a rookie. Too bad green dollar bills talk in Formula 1 in this day and age, while talent is just a secondary asset.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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