Hummmmm, initially I though it was a bit harsh, but according to some "reports" from inside Macca Perez was just down on out and out pace compared to Button, enough of a gap he just wouldnt be able to make up. If as Coops says Magnussen was showing he is capable I can see the reasons behind the change. 

 

I would love to see Williams get Ross Brawn on board, twinned with a decent experienced lead driver (Massa) and a talented up and coming younger driver (Bottas) I think they could get themselves on the up, especially with Merc power next season. 

http://www.mclaren.com/formula1/2013/United-States-Grand-Prix/Kevin-Magnussen-confirmed-as-McLaren-Formula-1-race-driver-for-2014/

 

McLaren have announced Magnussen for 2014 to partner Button.

 

Rumour also floating round that the Williams line up may not be totally finalised - in that a "British" driver could be bound for the team?

Only Lotus, Force India, Caterham, Marussia, and Sauber left to confirm their drivers.

 

10 seats left - who is going to miss out?

Hummmmm, only 2 Brits that spring to mind are Di resta and Bird. Either would be a shock, I think they'll keep Bottas, I reckon he has talent, worth another year at least.

Perhaps now some of Dario's personal sponsors wouold sponsor Wee  Paul instead? (he said hopefully)

He has had a rotten second half of the season but I like Paul, certainly better than a fair few on the grid. I met him at the autosport show last year, seemed like a down to earth guy, fingers crossed he is still in next year

For me button needs to be gone he's washed up ! Get some fresh meat there I say

I want Button to retire now too. I've seen his career from his first race until now. He has his title and I think he's had peaked but would be a good mentor for some younger drivers.

I think button did well at Brawn as an underdog, but in a top team like maclaren and (back then) Williams at the start, he gets complacent IMO and seems to let the team do the work for him

Don't be harsh on Button, the car has been **** this year and he has comfortably outperformed Perez who one year ago everyone thought was the next big thing.

He outperformed Lewis in their first year together too.

I think he's probably got a couple of years left in him.

Given Button and decent car under him and he will mix it with the best of them no doubt. One season in a ****e car is hardly enough to write his career off over. 

Taki inuoe just tweeted that Hulkenberg is going to Force India, but I can never tell how seriously to take his tweets

Hulk has been waiting on a decision from Lotus with FI as a backup - his seat at Sauber is available to him in 2014 if needed.

 

Makes me think that Lotus have made a decision on a driver?

Would love to see DiResta in a better seat - he is way better than the car he is in. This season has not been good for them as the tyre change worked against the set up for the car which had been working very well with the newer 2013 tyres at the start of t he season.

WTF going on at McLaren ?  Martin W sacks Perez and then tries to help him into other teams.  "Here's our ex man, Sergio Perez. Needs a drive but we've sacked him because he was crap. Any chance you would like to sign him ?..."

Magnussen really seems to be the next big thing. Drove his first powered kart at 2 and has been quick all the way through. His dad used to race for the team and they did say years ago they owed him after he didn't get that good of a chance. He speaks very good english and says all the right things in interviews. McLaren told him to win his championship and he'd get a seat somewhere which he did. I do feel sorry for Perez though

WTF going on at McLaren ?  Martin W sacks Perez and then tries to help him into other teams.  "Here's our ex man, Sergio Perez. Needs a drive but we've sacked him because he was crap. Any chance you would like to sign him ?..."

Perhaps gets a cut of any deal?

Would love to see DiResta in a better seat - he is way better than the car he is in. This season has not been good for them as the tyre change worked against the set up for the car which had been working very well with the newer 2013 tyres at the start of t he season.

 

It's not looking that likely he will have any seat at the moment :(

Rumour has it .....

 

Perez > Force India

Hulkenberg > Force India (again)

 

Sutil > Sauber

Crashdanardo > Lotus (if they exist still)

 

Kovalinen > Caterham (again)

 

Am a little worried that Lotus might not even make it to next year. No officially announced drivers, no sponsors, no money, no engine deal........ hope they do get things sorted but the quantum deal seems to be taking ages and they could be reliant on Pastor and his PDVSA money if nothing comes of it. 

I heard David Croft say on AIR that a highly reliable source had revealed to him that Hulkenberg is heading to Force India and it is a done deal,  but i cannot imagine how that could be possible. Surely FI doesn't have more money than Lotus, does it? If FI do manage to get Perez and Hulkenberg to drive for them next year, i think it will the best line up for the money certainly the best one in terms of value for money. I think Hulkenberg and Di Resta are the only two drivers without much financial backing and teams would pick Hulkenberg ahead of Di resta any day. That is why Paul is missing out. Its probably Maldanado>Perez>Hulkenberg>Paul in terms of sponsorship money and Hulkenberg>Paul>Perez>Maldanado in terms of talent. 

 

My prediction for next season

 

Force India : Sutil and Perez

 

Sauber : Sirotkin and Guiterez / Maldanado

 

Lotus : Grosjean and Hulkenberg

 

My team is Mclaren and Kevin Magnussen could well be the next Lewis Hamilton. Fingers crossed.

See my above post, Lotus have nothing as yet agreed as far as engines or drivers are concerned, Boullier has been open in their current situation money wise, I'd say FI certainly have more cash as it stands at the moment. Its boom or bust, if the Quantum deal is good then they'll be ok for a few years but if it goes down the pan then I fear their only hope is Crashdinardo.

 

There are plenty of non "pay drivers" but sadly very few teams now that can afford 2 of them. 4 or 5 teams need at least one driver bring in some cash. Force India I dont understand, VM's Kingfisher Airlines have been grounded best part of this year, the only thing I can assume is that Sahara bring a fair amount of dolla in. Williams have secured a decent deal hence why they have dumped Pastor and his oil money asap. 

 

It's a bit of a sad state of affairs really and these new engines arnt helping. I want to see the best drivers on the track going head to head, not the ones with the most cash. 

Yeah, wouldn't it just be great if F1 was just about pure driver talent and aero and stuff, sadly that isnt the case. The problem is that, each year there are too many drivers fighting over very few seats, so it will always be about money. Some teams go a step further and rope in 17 year olds. The only things interesting in F1 these days(atleast from mid-season) are Kimi's interviews. Bernie claimed Horner as being the the perfect man to replace him. We all know how Mark was treated and it would just make things worse. Sometimes i wonder if they ever fit the KERS system on Mark's car. I saw a journalist ask Horner during the Indian GP if he thought it was fair that only the top 6 teams have a say in FOTA which means Horner being an employee has a say whereas Mallya being a team owner doesnt. Sadly that's the state of affairs right now.

Maldonado goes to Lotus with Grosjean.....

All they need is a engine now I'm assuming it'll be renault but not confirmed. At least they'll be on the grid, I'm assuming the Quantum deal hasnt happened. 

Exactly Maldonado brings money - which Lotus wouldn't need if they had the Quantum deal agreed.

 

First post updated