Magnussen reveals Button was set for 2014 F1 retirement before McLaren U-turn
Kevin Magnussen says Jenson Button expected to retire from Formula One at the end of 2014, but McLaren's late decision kept the Briton racing and left Magnussen sidelined.
Kevin Magnussen has said Jenson Button was convinced he would retire from Formula One at the end of 2014, only for McLaren's board to reverse course and retain Button at the last moment. Magnussen, who had been told his own seat was secure, found himself abruptly relegated to reserve driver as the team opted for the experience of Button alongside new signing Fernando Alonso.
Magnussen, who finished his rookie season with 55 points and a podium in Australia, had been given assurances by McLaren management that he would remain in the race seat for 2015. Button, the 2009 world champion, had already prepared a farewell helmet and displayed photos of his career in his room, expecting the Abu Dhabi finale to be his last grand prix. According to Magnussen, Button was driving the final races simply to enjoy them, believing his F1 career was ending.
Behind the scenes, McLaren had already secured Alonso from Ferrari for 2015. The internal battle for the second seat intensified, with Magnussen saying both he and Button learned at Spa that Alonso was coming and that one of them would be dropped. Magnussen did not negotiate with other teams, believing his future at McLaren was safe.
Boardroom politics and the final decision
When the McLaren board finally voted, Magnussen claims he actually had more support among board members than Button. However, the influence of Mansour Ojjeh and representatives of the Mumtalakat investment fund, who preferred Button, tipped the decision. Team boss Ron Dennis, who supported Magnussen, was overruled. Magnussen later suggested that the boardroom split was as much about internal power struggles as driver performance.
Button's late-season form, including two strong drives to close out 2014, may have helped his case. Magnussen admitted his own final races were not his best, but stressed that Button's experience and relationships within McLaren's leadership also played a role.
The outcome left Magnussen as reserve driver for 2015. He raced only once, substituting for Alonso at the season opener in Melbourne after the Spaniard's pre-season crash. McLaren released Magnussen entirely at the end of that year, reportedly informing him by email on his birthday. He moved to Renault in 2016 and later to Haas.
No hard feelings between drivers
Magnussen has repeatedly said he holds no grudge against Button, describing him as a strong and intelligent teammate. The Dane said he understood why Button was chosen and respected his achievements. Magnussen has since reflected on the ruthlessness of Formula One, saying the experience taught him about the realities of the sport.
Button continued with McLaren alongside Alonso into 2015 and 2016. Magnussen, meanwhile, considered other series before returning to F1 with Renault. For more on Magnussen's pursuit of a race seat after McLaren, seeMagnussen Pursues 2016 F1 Return as Porsche Test Nears.
