McLaren takes a risk with Magnussen

“So there is a risk, but we wouldn't have taken that risk if we didn't think it would work. » explains Whitmarsh. At only 21 years old, the 3.5 WSR FR 2013 champion will take the place of Sergio Pérez, who left for Force India for 2014. He will team up with Jenson Button and with the Briton will have to bring back McLaren at his own level, namely the fight for the championship.

Despite the young age of Magnussen, Whitmarsh has no doubts about his choice. “This guy is special. I attended his technical debriefing during testing at Silverstone this year. He had several engineers around him and at least twenty others via video conference. I sat down to listen to his feedback, he was clear and precise in his words. That's when I realized this guy was special. » And to compare the arrival of the Dane with that of another young person who had exploded with the Woking team, Lewis Hamilton. “We did exactly the same thing with Lewis. It was easier for him because we allowed him to do a lot of kilometers in private tests, which young drivers can no longer do today. »

McLaren continues to develop its future car based on the V6 Turbo Mercedes, but is not present today for the last day of the Pirelli tests organized on the Sakhir track in Bahrain. The stable had given no explanation for his absence.