It is obvious, however, the two drivers are at opposite ends of the spectrum
when it comes to experience.
Despite that, team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: “Next year, we’ll
witness the biggest raft of technical changes to Formula One in many years.
“Every team and manufacturer will be pushed to the limit as they try
their best to adapt to those new challenges. Jenson’s race-winning speed,
intelligence and racecraft have long been a crucial advantage to McLaren.
“But it’s his skill as a development driver and peerless technical
feedback that will be equally valuable as we make the transition into a new
and complex technical formula during the winter and new year.
“Kevin, too, is clearly very talented and very determined, and we
therefore have high hopes for him.
“Moreover, every time he’s tested our Formula One car, he’s been very
quick and very methodical, and his feedback has been first-class.
“Furthermore, the manner in which he won this year’s World Series by
Renault 3.5 championship was truly outstanding, showcasing as it did not
only his impressive natural pace but also his increasing maturity and
ability to structure and manage a championship campaign.”
Naturally, Magnussen is thrilled to have been given an opportunity by McLaren,
and an unusual one at that as it is very rare for the team to go into a
campaign with a rookie in the cockpit.
Magnussen said: “I’m absolutely overjoyed to be making my Formula One
debut with McLaren. I’ll put it simply: this team is the best.
“It’s been my dream to drive for McLaren since I was a small kid, and
it’s no exaggeration to say I’ve dedicated almost every day of my life to
achieving the goal of becoming a McLaren Formula One driver.
“I have an enormous amount of respect for everyone at McLaren, and I want
to say a massive ‘thank you’ to everyone, but most of all to Martin and his
senior colleagues, for giving me this chance. I won’t let you down, guys!
“Equally, in Jenson, I have absolutely the ideal team-mate. He’s
extremely quick, obviously, but he’s also very experienced and superbly
capable from a technical perspective.
“He’s a Formula One world champion, which is what one day I also hope to
become, and I’m determined to learn as much as I can from him.”
Meanwhile, Heikki Kovalainen is to replace fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen at Lotus
for the final two grands prix of the current season.
Raikkonen announced on Sunday he would be pulling out of the races in the
United States and Brazil to undergo back surgery to cure a long-standing
problem.
After failing to lure Michael Schumacher out of retirement for a second time,
and Nico Hulkenberg from Sauber, Lotus have turned to Kovalainen who has
competed in 109 grands prix, with his last a year ago for Caterham.
Team principal Eric Boullier has had to act fast in recruiting the 32-year-old
who has previously raced for Renault and McLaren, along with Caterham where
he has been reserve this year, taking part in six Friday practice sessions.
After completing a seat fitting at the team’s factory in Enstone on Wednesday,
Kovalainen then flew directly to Austin, the scene of this weekend’s United
States Grand Prix.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for me to join Lotus for the final two races of
2013,” said Kovalainen.
“We’ve seen this year the car can win races and finish on the podium, so I
will be pushing hard for the best results possible.
“Jumping into a car so late in the year, when you have not been competing in
the races all season, will be a challenge
“But I know the team at Enstone well so I have no concerns about getting up to
speed.
“This is a great opportunity for me, so I would like to thank Tony Fernandes
(Caterham owner) and Caterham F1 Team for allowing me to take advantage of
it.”
With Lotus still battling Mercedes and Ferrari for second in the constructors’
championship, and with millions of pounds at stake, Boullier felt
Kovalainen’s experience would better serve Lotus compared to promoting
reserve Davide Valsecchi.
“Obviously we had to move quickly following the news of Kimi’s
non-participation in the final two races of this season,” said Boullier.
“We found ourselves facing a difficult decision in terms of who should take
the wheel in Austin and Sao Paulo.
“On the one hand we had our reserve driver Davide Valsecchi – who is a
talented young driver that has shown a great deal of promise – and on the
other we had the opportunity to bring in a seasoned Formula One competitor
in Heikki.
“Whilst we have every faith in Davide’s abilities, we are obviously involved
in a tight constructors’ championship battle.
“So it was decided the experience Heikki could bring to the team would be
invaluable as we aim to finish the year in the best position possible.
“We must thank Tony Fernandes and Caterham for their professional conduct in
allowing Heikki to join us for the final races of this season.”
Edited by Ben Bloom