Fernando Alonso
has started 234 Grands Prix, has converted 32 of those starts to victories, has
stood on a Grand Prix podium 97 times, and has won the drivers’ world
championship not once but twice. “He is a class act,” stated Dennis.
Alonso said
he was delighted to finally confirm his switch from Ferrari to McLaren, for
whom he previously contested the 2007 season. “Over the past year I have
received several offers, some of them really tempting, given the current
performance of some of the teams that showed interest…McLaren-Honda’s repeated
and open desire, perseverance and determination in making it possible for me to
join their exciting renewed partnership, have been some of the main factors
that made me take this decision, not forgetting the most important factor of
all: we share a common objective and expectations, and there is a very solid
future, with confidence, ahead,” he said.
2015will be
the 16th F1 season for Jenson Button. The Briton had been vying with Magnussen
for the right to partner Alonso. The two were evenly matched for pure pace in
2014, with Button out-qualifying the Danish rookie 10-9. The Briton had a more
pronounced advantage in the races, however, scoring twice as many points over
the season.
“I admired
Ayrton Senna enormously, but, for me, it was the exploits of his McLaren-Honda
team-mate Alain Prost that inspired me most as a boy. The way he stroked those
beautifully brutal red-and-white cars to grand prix wins and world
championships was to my mind poetry in motion, and I have tried to emulate his
driving style ever since. Being a part of new-look McLaren-Honda is a wonderful
opportunity for all of us, and I am very pleased to have been invited to do my
bit. In fact, I am absolutely raring to go. I am also very glad that Kevin will
remain part of the team. He is a very quick driver and a really nice guy...I am
very much looking forward to having a driver as fast and as experienced as
Fernando as my team mate. I am sure we will work extremely well together,” the
Briton concluded.