A new name “might” have leapt into contention to become Fernando Alonso’s teammate at McLaren-Honda next year.<\/p>\n
Former team driver Martin Brundle on Saturday told McLaren supremo Ron Dennis that everyone in the paddock knows Alonso has now inked a deal for 2015.<\/p>\n
“Which driver are you talking about?” Dennis told the commentator for British television Sky.<\/p>\n
In truth, despite Dennis’ insistence, the only true question-mark is over the identity of Alonso’s teammate.<\/p>\n
Conventional Dennis logic would suggest McLaren will put together the best and most experienced drivers it can muster — and that might be Alonso and the 2009 world champion Jenson Button.<\/p>\n
But paddock rumours suggest the Woking based team is in fact more likely to keep the in-house rookie Kevin Magnussen on board.<\/p>\n
Dennis told Brundle: “You presume that there are three people involved in this choice.\u00a0 But I think you should stretch your imagination to four.”<\/p>\n
The most logical fourth candidate would be the McLaren-contracted GP2 driver Stoffel Vandoorne, who commandingly won Saturday’s Abu Dhabi race from pole.<\/p>\n
He will also drive the Honda-powered interim McLaren in next week’s post-race Abu Dhabi test.<\/p>\n
“‘Might’ is an interesting word,” answered Dennis, when asked if Belgian Vandoorne might be a candidate.<\/p>\n
Later, however, team boss Eric Boullier played down the Vandoorne rumours, suggesting the 22-year-old will spend another year in GP2 to try to win the title.<\/p>\n
The smart money now is on McLaren fielding an Alonso-Magnussen lineup in 2015.<\/p>\n
“I have a strong desire for Denmark to wake up,” Dennis told Danish television TV3, “and realise that they have an unique opportunity to support someone who could easily become a sporting legend of the country.<\/p>\n
“I hope that one of the multinationals realises that life is not always about money but also national pride.<\/p>\n
“I’ve done my part,” added Dennis, “and I think it’s time that Denmark does the same.”<\/p>\n
\u00a9 RIF | GMM<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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