McLaren announced that 21-year-old Renault 3.5 Champion Kevin Magnussen will join Jenson Button as a McLaren Formula 1 race driver for 2014. The decision comes after current driver Sergio Perez released a statement that he would not be returning with the team next year.
The decision coincides with considerable technical changes next year, as the series moves to 1.6-litre V6 turbo engines and a more powerful energy recovery and deployment system. Button’s lengthy Formula 1 experience and brilliant technical understanding will be very important assets as the team starts its 2014 challenge, backed by the talent, promise and enthusiasm of his 21-year-old team-mate.
“I’m absolutely overjoyed to be making my Formula 1 debut with McLaren,” Kevin Magnussen said. “I’ll put it simply: this team is the best. It's been my dream to drive for McLaren ever since I was a small kid, and it's no exaggeration to say that I've dedicated almost every day of my life to achieving the goal of becoming a McLaren Formula 1 driver.
“Equally, in Jenson, I have absolutely the ideal team-mate. He's extremely quick, obviously, but he's also very experienced and superbly capable from a technical perspective. He's a Formula 1 world champion, which is what one day I also hope to become, and I'm determined to learn as much as I can from him.”
“We’re delighted that Kevin will be joining Jenson as a McLaren Formula 1 race driver for 2014,” Martin Whitmarsh (Team Principal) said. “Their confirmation is an important step for us as we continue to strengthen our organisation ahead of the 2014 season.”
“Next year, we’ll witness the biggest raft of technical changes to Formula 1 in many years, and every team and manufacturer will be pushed to the limit as they try their best to adapt to those new challenges.”
“Last but very far from least, I want to take this opportunity to thank Checo [Perez], who has developed well during a difficult season, as his recent run of points-scoring finishes underlines. He's a lovely guy and a fine driver - fast and combative - and I’m sure he’ll build on that firm foundation in 2014.
“All at McLaren wish him well for the future.”
