- 13 Δεκ 2014, 11:22
#51082
Ron Dennis reveals spark for Jenson Button U-turn as McLaren turn on the diplomacy
http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/12433 ... -diplomacyRon Dennis has revealed that his tete-a-tete with Jenson Button after the Abu Dhabi GP was central to his decision to offer the former world champion an unexpected reprieve. With Fernando Alonso’s return to the team an open secret in the paddock from October onwards, Button’s demeanour throughout the final month of the season was that of a condemned man. Despite his superior form and points-scoring, few believed that McLaren wouldn't retain the younger and cheaper Kevin Magnussen - including, it seemed, Button himself.
Sky Sports F1's Ted Kravitz believes McLaren have made the right decision in pairing Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso together for 2015.
But while Button’s willingness to make a financial sacrifice – if, that is, signing
a deal reputedly worth £8m a year can ever be described as a 'sacrifice' – sealed the deal, it appears that Dennis’ reputed preference for Magnussen over Button first began to shift when he sat down with the 2009 title winner in the immediate aftermath of the season finale.
“The content of the conversations Jenson and I had prior to me signing the contract was preceded by a conversation which took place after the Abu Dhabi race. He was a very different person, both then and last night, and my concerns faded,” Dennis told Sky Sports News HQ. “There were very defined minuses [to re-signing Button] and we decided to address some of those issues and when I engaged with Jenson and went through those, some of them almost evaporated. The decision is mine and Jenson’s destiny is in his own hands. He will get equality and, l hope, a race-winning car.”
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“We’ve been very clear and very transparent, as Ron would say, with each other. It’s the relationship I want, I don’t want anything going on behind the scenes, we want to work together closely and be very open with each other – that’s the only way we are going to have any chance of getting anywhere near Mercedes next season,” Button told SSNHQ.
“Fernando is an exceptional talent. We’re both very straightforward, if we have an issue with each other we will speak to each other face-to-face, and that’s the most important thing you can have with a team-mate,” added Button.
“For many years, I’ve been asked who is the driver I would most like to partner and for many years I have said Fernando.”
A future career in the diplomatic corps surely awaits Jenson.
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