OCTOBER 21, 2013

McLaren to have Magnussen, Alonso in 2015?

A Danish newspaper has looked into the future and spotted Kevin Magnussen, the brand new Formula Renault 3.5 champion, at McLaren in 2015.

A Danish newspaper has looked into the future and spotted Kevin Magnussen, the brand new Formula Renault 3.5 champion, at McLaren in 2015.

The report in the tabloid newspaper Ekstra Bladet also said the now 21-year-old Dane's Honda-powered teammate in two years time will be none other than Fernando Alonso.

Magnussen, the son of former F1 driver Jan, wrapped up the Formula Renault 3.5 championship in Spain at the weekend.

With McLaren's backing, he is now linked with a move to F1 next year with Marussia.

"I have focused entirely on achieving this goal (the 2013 title), because you cannot even dream of going to formula one if you do not deserve it," he said in Barcelona.

Indeed, the Ekstra Bladet report might be slightly more than a speculative glance into the crystal ball.

Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper reports that there is more to the Alonso-to-McLaren story than mere rumours.

The newspaper said Honda has agreed with McLaren to split the Spaniard's huge annual retainer.

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali, however, insists he is not worried.

"I do not fear losing Fernando," he told the German magazine Sport Bild.

"He has a contract and he recently made clear that he is staying. He wants to win with us, and we want to win with him," Domenicali added.

(GMM)