McLaren has revealed that it is to delay any decision on its 2014 driver line-up until December.

As pressure on the team continues, with many, already believing that Fernando Alonso has already been signed, and intense speculation as to who might be his teammate, the Woking outfit has tonight issued this brief statement:

"Selecting the optimal driver line-up for a Formula 1 team is clearly an important process, and it is therefore one that requires precise and prolonged analysis.

That being the case, and in order to avoid distracting the race team from its primary objective during the final Grand Prix weekend of the season, which is to secure the best possible on-track results, we have decided to defer our final deliberations relating to our 2015 driver line-up until a date no earlier than Monday December 1st.

Meanwhile, we are working extremely hard to ensure that every element of our competitive package for 2015 and beyond is also specified to the fullest extent. We have spent the past nine months comprehensively recruiting and restructuring within our design and engineering departments; over the next few days we will be evaluating and trialling a range of aerodynamic upgrades for the forthcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and for the 2015 Formula 1 season; furthermore, we are now only a few days away from formally commencing our exciting technical partnership with Honda, and, subject to satisfactory final bench-testing, it is currently our intention to run our interim development car, the McLaren MP4-29H/1X1, on the test days that will follow the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Hondawho?, 21/11/2014 11:33

"I remember the look of anger on RD's face when Alonso walked out of that pit box back in 2007, I have never seen such an angry guy. I will be surprised if Alsonso drives for McLaren and if he does it will be because Honda want him there not RD. We wait and see.........$$$$$ are everything but in RD, I am not so sure, I have a feeling that its an "every dog has his day" situation and the outcome will be interesting.""

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2. Posted by Darvi, 20/11/2014 16:03

"Obviously, making a decision would be too distracting... has anyone given any thought to how distracting it is for Jenson and Kevin not to have the decision made, and who will they get to test the new car in Abu Dhabi? Presumably a test driver with no experience of the race car, so they will loose the opportunity to gather the detaled data and feedback that they would have got from the race drivers..... what a joke!"

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3. Posted by jfagan, 19/11/2014 12:44

"Simply a disgraceful way to treat someone of Button's standing. It's pretty clear that he is the better driver of the two candidates and will probably give Alonso a headache in equal machinery. He's been a superb team player for McLaren despite being given appalling cars to drive for the last two seasons. All the more reason to support Williams!"

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4. Posted by imejl99, 19/11/2014 11:47

"It seems that line-up is pending on how will Honda power unit do. In my opinion, Alonso can afford to wait and see..."

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5. Posted by TheHillsHaveEyes, 19/11/2014 11:05

"Is that a speech bubble I can see coming from JB's mouth, what a joke!"

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6. Posted by Hobgoblin, 19/11/2014 9:40

"I cannot help wondering if this is all to do with whether or not some of the top teams will be running three cars next year, and some (Spanish) drivers are keeping their options open just in case there is a thrid seat at Mercedes..."

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7. Posted by TokyoAussie, 19/11/2014 3:35

"This is no way to treat a world champion. If this is Button's last race, he should be able to bow out on a high, not left in some kind of limbo. Perhaps they want Button to retire of his own accord, but the guy wants to go racing..."

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8. Posted by Hondawho?, 18/11/2014 21:25

"If Alonso goes back to McLaren, I'll sell my P1!"

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McLaren to delay driver decision

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