Jenson Button's future at the McLaren squad is safe, for 2014 anyway, but over recent weeks the position of his current team-mate Sergio Perez has come under threat.
It is thought that the Woking based squad are keen to replace him with 2013 Formula Renault 3.5 champion Kevin Magnussen, who is on their young driver programme. So who will partner Button next season?
Reports in the F1 paddock suggest that senior figures within McLaren are seriously considering replacing Perez with rookie Kevin Magnussen, a driver who has been described as "lightening quick" by team principal Martin Whitmarsh.
The Danish youngster feels ready for F1: "If I get the chance with a big team then it would be because they expect me to deliver and only because they think I am the right solution. I feel I'm ready. I have won in everything I have driven in so why would that change in Formula 1?"
There is no doubt that the 21-year-old has the speed, but is he the right choice to partner Button as F1 heads into a brand new era with dramatic regulation changes - including the new V6 turbo engines?
He doesn't think so. "It could be an advantage for us rookies because if anything it means that experience counts for less, No drivers will have experience of driving these cars," he told Sky Sports.
Magnussen drove a Formula 1 car for the first time last November, topping the Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test for McLaren and gaining his F1 superlicense. He also drove for the team at the Silverstone Young Driver Test this season and has plenty of experience in the team's simulator.
However, would someone with more experience developing a Formula 1 car help McLaren return to the front? There is no doubt that putting a rookie in a potentially front running team - although the new 2014 regulations could mix up the order - is a big risk.
Perez hasn't had the easiest debut season for McLaren, but that isn't really his fault. Both drivers had high expectations of the revolutionary MP4-28 but it has proved to be a tricky beast to tame.
Despite some questioning McLaren's decision, I think the Mexican has done a good job this year. Yes, he hasn't blown Button out of the water but the Brit is a tough competitor. In equal machinery, Perez has matched his team-mate consistently and in recent races, he has been the driver who has brought points to the constructors' table.
He was slightly erratic in the early stages, clashing with Button in Bahrain and crashing with Raikkonen in Monaco - both moves that were too aggressive - and had a lacklustre first few races. But the 24-year-old has bounced back and driven more maturely after the earlier wake-up calls.
His fifth place finish at the Indian Grand Prix was a very impressive result, but can it help save his McLaren future? I personally think he has the talent and speed to remain in 2014. His results this season may look poor, but this hasn't been a normal season for McLaren.
They are currently on course for their first podium-less season since 1980. This isn't because they have two talentless drivers at the wheel. With the machinery that they have at their disposal, both drivers have - in my view - done well.
I'd like to see Perez given a second chance by McLaren. I don't think it would be fair to see him replaced after his first season, as he hasn't had the car to fight for podiums and wins. He is confident that he will remain at the team next year. "I know what's going to happen so in that respect, right now, I do not feel that bad pressure," he said in Abu Dhabi.
"For a racing driver, that can be the worst pressure you can have, to have doubts about your future and what's going to happen. I am confident that whatever happens is the best for me."
However, if he is given a second chance it will most likely be on a one year contract extension with performance clauses to determine whether he stays beyond 2014.
But where can Magnussen go? He is an extremely talented driver so it would be a big disappointment to not see him on the F1 grid next season.
I think a seat at a team further down the grid like Marussia or Force India would be a better option, to get him introduced to the new 2014 machines and help him develop his race craft before a possible move to McLaren in 2015. Of course, that is a completely different story.
What do you think? Does Perez deserve another chance or would Magnussen be a better option? Let me know in the comments below, on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
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| (c) Octane Photographic |
Reports in the F1 paddock suggest that senior figures within McLaren are seriously considering replacing Perez with rookie Kevin Magnussen, a driver who has been described as "lightening quick" by team principal Martin Whitmarsh.
The Danish youngster feels ready for F1: "If I get the chance with a big team then it would be because they expect me to deliver and only because they think I am the right solution. I feel I'm ready. I have won in everything I have driven in so why would that change in Formula 1?"
 |
| (c) Octane Photographic |
There is no doubt that the 21-year-old has the speed, but is he the right choice to partner Button as F1 heads into a brand new era with dramatic regulation changes - including the new V6 turbo engines?
He doesn't think so. "It could be an advantage for us rookies because if anything it means that experience counts for less, No drivers will have experience of driving these cars," he told Sky Sports.
Magnussen drove a Formula 1 car for the first time last November, topping the Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test for McLaren and gaining his F1 superlicense. He also drove for the team at the Silverstone Young Driver Test this season and has plenty of experience in the team's simulator.
However, would someone with more experience developing a Formula 1 car help McLaren return to the front? There is no doubt that putting a rookie in a potentially front running team - although the new 2014 regulations could mix up the order - is a big risk.
Perez hasn't had the easiest debut season for McLaren, but that isn't really his fault. Both drivers had high expectations of the revolutionary MP4-28 but it has proved to be a tricky beast to tame.
Despite some questioning McLaren's decision, I think the Mexican has done a good job this year. Yes, he hasn't blown Button out of the water but the Brit is a tough competitor. In equal machinery, Perez has matched his team-mate consistently and in recent races, he has been the driver who has brought points to the constructors' table.
He was slightly erratic in the early stages, clashing with Button in Bahrain and crashing with Raikkonen in Monaco - both moves that were too aggressive - and had a lacklustre first few races. But the 24-year-old has bounced back and driven more maturely after the earlier wake-up calls.
 |
| (c) Octane Photographic |
His fifth place finish at the Indian Grand Prix was a very impressive result, but can it help save his McLaren future? I personally think he has the talent and speed to remain in 2014. His results this season may look poor, but this hasn't been a normal season for McLaren.
They are currently on course for their first podium-less season since 1980. This isn't because they have two talentless drivers at the wheel. With the machinery that they have at their disposal, both drivers have - in my view - done well.
I'd like to see Perez given a second chance by McLaren. I don't think it would be fair to see him replaced after his first season, as he hasn't had the car to fight for podiums and wins. He is confident that he will remain at the team next year. "I know what's going to happen so in that respect, right now, I do not feel that bad pressure," he said in Abu Dhabi.
"For a racing driver, that can be the worst pressure you can have, to have doubts about your future and what's going to happen. I am confident that whatever happens is the best for me."
However, if he is given a second chance it will most likely be on a one year contract extension with performance clauses to determine whether he stays beyond 2014.
But where can Magnussen go? He is an extremely talented driver so it would be a big disappointment to not see him on the F1 grid next season.
I think a seat at a team further down the grid like Marussia or Force India would be a better option, to get him introduced to the new 2014 machines and help him develop his race craft before a possible move to McLaren in 2015. Of course, that is a completely different story.
What do you think? Does Perez deserve another chance or would Magnussen be a better option? Let me know in the comments below, on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
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