Button was widely expected to lose his seat with the team
The Telegraph are reporting that Jenson Button will miraculously hang onto his seat with McLaren next season. After a disappointing year it was thought by virtually all those in the paddock that the English driver would lose his place, with young Dane Kevin Magnussen retained.
But it now seems that Button will indeed partner Fernando Alonso, who joins after seven years away at Ferrari. The paper reports that the Spaniard, Button and new engine supplier Honda will be unveiled tomorrow at the team’s workshop.
It seems that high-level discussions were split over whether to retain Button or Magnussen, and the youngster’s wages (£500,000 to Button’s £12m) were a factor but not enough to convince the team owners to ditch the experienced former World Champion.
While Button was expected to leave F1 to drive in the World Endurance Championship it now looks like he keeps his spot at the very top of motorsport. Magnussen’s future remains far more unclear.
