Button is a proven race winner when he feels at one with his car, but more
often than not he was outqualified by Lewis Hamilton when they were McLaren
team-mates, sometimes by fairly hefty margins. Pérez has thus far struggled
to match Button’s pace – the Englishman leads 9-8 in qualifying this year.
The Mexican’s presence has brought some additional sponsorship revenue to
McLaren; the deal with Clarovideo is thought to be worth some £10million.
However, much of that is eaten up by Pérez’s salary.
Magnussen, by contrast, would probably command somewhere in the region of
£500,000.
In any case, with Honda coming on board in 2015, there is no longer any
financial imperative to stick with Pérez. It all comes down to which driver
McLaren believe will be quicker. Do McLaren gamble on youth as they did with
Hamilton in 2007? Or do they stick with what they know, even if they are so
far a little underwhelmed?
Appointing Magnussen would be an admission that they got it wrong last year.
It would also mean disregarding Button’s views on the matter.
The 2009 world champion said last weekend that it was important not to bring
youngsters such as Magnussen and Vandoorne in too early. “There is so
much that a driver doesn’t understand before they drive in F1,” Button
reasoned.
However, Magnussen told The Daily Telegraph in Abu Dhabi that he felt he was
ready for Formula One, and furthermore, that he would prefer to begin his
career at McLaren than be placed with a smaller team such as Marussia.
“For me, if I can get a competitive seat in the first year I would prefer
that,” Magnussen said. “It’s true there is a bigger risk in going to a top
team because if you don’t perform then you’re out of Formula One. But for
me, if I get to a top team and don’t perform then it means I’m not good
enough.
“I’m in Formula One to be world champion not just to be in Formula One. That
is why I would happily take that chance. Because I believe I am capable of
that.”
Magnussen also rejected the theory that the huge engine regulation changes
next year would make it harder for a rookie, as many current drivers have
argued. “I’m sure the experienced drivers are saying that,” he said, adding
that young drivers were more “adaptable”.
“It is more of a help, I think,” Magnussen concluded, “because
it will be more of a level playing field. No drivers will have experience of
driving these cars. It’s a very good opportunity for a rookie.
“It’s no secret that I want to drive for this team. It’s the best team in the
paddock. It’s where I’ve wanted to race my whole life. Even when I was a
small kid. But it’s out of my hands. I’ve done all I can do.”