Ron Dennis: No driver has signed with McLaren for 2015
Ron Dennis gave an interview to Sky Sports in which the executive discussed the current situation of transfers where Fernando Alonso is mentioned for a possible return to Woking. He also mentioned the Honda engine.
For Sky Sports F1, Ron Dennis denied the signing of Fernando Alonso for 2015. The Spanish driver is strongly expected to return to Woking, while Sebastian Vettel is expected to join Ferrari.
« I haven’t completely decided yet. I have a plan in my mind that has matured over the last two or three months, » said Alonso.
If Mercedes should not recruit the driver from Asturias, Red Bull could have been interested in the arrival of the Spanish driver. But ultimately, the Austrian firm promoted the young Russian Daniil Kvyat in place of the German four-time world champion. The only option currently remaining for the double F1 world champion is McLaren Honda. Ron Dennis thus discussed the subject with the English media: « None of our drivers have signed for 2015. We want the most competitive drivers available and I have spoken to all the best drivers in the paddock. »
Fernando Alonso had left the English team following the Spygate scandal, which resulted in a $100 million fine by the FIA and the exclusion of McLaren from the constructors’ world championship. This could have been an obstacle to Alonso’s return to Woking, but Denis ultimately believes Alonso played a minor role. Despite this incident, the door is open for a return: « Fernando was not the instigator. It was the actions of other individuals. The emails between Fernando and Pedro de la Rosa were rather unimportant. I’ve moved on years ago. There’s also no obstacle for Lewis Hamilton to return. There’s no obstacle for Kevin [Magnussen] and Jenson [Button] to stay. »
McLaren’s absence of victory since 2012 might be a hindrance to signing the former Renault driver, but Ron Dennis and Éric Boullier believe that the Honda engine will be an asset, as the Japanese company will become the English team’s engine supplier from 2015. Ron Dennis looks back on the historic partnership with Mercedes and also assesses the current state of the Honda engine: « Everyone started with the same engine and we have made progress, I don’t think the mechanics have changed that much, I think most other teams except Mercedes-Benz are lagging behind. But it’s really annoying not to have access to the source code that allows you to both exploit and harvest the energy recovery systems, which is crucial to achieve a well-balanced car. »
That said, they have been excellent partners for 20 years, and I would do the same as them if I were on the other side of the fence. But in the end, they are there to win, and no Grand Prix team will win a world championship in the future unless it is the main beneficiary of an engine manufacturer’s efforts. It’s mind-blowing [the efforts made by Honda], the engine is a gem. They are further ahead than expected. The competitiveness of the engine will undoubtedly be there, he concluded.
