Perez to lose McLaren seat?

When McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh told the media that the team were finally close to confirming their driver line-up we assumed it would be in favour of the current driver pairing.

While it’s true that McLaren delaying their announcement for the 2014 Formula One World Championship season didn’t look good for Sergio Perez, there was a distinct lack of rumours linking anyone else with the drive.

2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button was happy to confirm that his contract extension talks had been concluded some time ago, but McLaren refused to officially confirm the news.

Instead they wanted to wait so that they could announce both drivers at the same times and as talks with Sergio Perez appeared to stall, the only credible rumour was that of an unlikely return for Fernando Alonso to McLaren which circulated around the media.

It was clear that McLaren had been disappointed with the form of Sergio Perez following his move from Sauber to McLaren to replace Lewis Hamilton. But with the Alonso rumour appearing to die down a Button-Perez partnership looked odds on for next season.

Sergio Perez remaining at McLaren looked even more favourable when speculation surrounding a new title sponsor with the Mexican’s sponsor Telemex was rumoured.

Vodafone have opted not to renew their deal with McLaren, while the Mexican company has closely supported Perez’s career in motorsport.

If the communications group have agreed a title sponsorship with McLaren then it would be easy to assume that a deal with Sergio Perez would go hand-in-hand, but according to Sky Sports Jenson Button might not be partnered with Perez and could instead be lining up with Kevin Magnussen.

The 21-year-old Dane who has come through McLaren’s Young Driver Development Programme and won the Formula Renault 3.5 Championship this season had been linked with a seat at Marussia alongside Jules Bianchi, but instead could be set for a shock move straight into McLaren.

Magnussen believes the change in Formula One regulations for next season with the introduction of 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged could be a benefit to any rookies making their move into Formula One in 2014.

‘No drivers will have experience of driving these cars. he said ‘It’s a very good opportunity for a rookie.’

Especially if you’re in a top team.