Ron Dennis, the McLaren boss, wanted to keep Magnussen on at the end of 2014 but was overruled by the company’s other shareholders. The 22-year-old would also bring sponsorship money from Denmark.
Kevin Magnussen would be a much cheaper option
Stoffel Vandoorne, who has been dominating GP2, had been touted for the drive but he will either be McLaren’s test driver, or race with another team.
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Williams are yet to confirm Valtteri Bottas’s place for next season, which leaves a slim chance of Button making a return to the team, but it is unlikely Bottas will be ditched.