McLaren-Honda gears up for 2015 Grand Prix season

MANILA, Philippines – One of the most highly anticipated team-ups in Formula 1 this 2015 is that of McLaren and Honda, as chassis and engine builder, respectively, and Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button as its main drivers (with Kevin Magnussen remaining as test and reserve driver).

All three men will play crucial roles in re-establishing the ascendancy of one of global sport’s most iconic unions, for McLaren and Honda have already formed one of the most dominant partnerships in motorsport history: Honda broke new ground in the ‘80s with its turbo engine that—between 1988 and 1992—propelled McLaren-Honda to eight world championships and 44 grands prix (achieving 53 pole positions and setting 30 fastest laps)—all in just 80 races.

In 1988, the partnership created the single most successful F1 car of all time: the all-conquering McLaren-Honda MP4/4, which was driven to victory by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in an amazing 15 of the season’s 16 races.

The lure of that achievement has once again brought the legendary Japanese company back to the pinnacle of motor racing; and, again, Honda, is developing its revolutionary new turbocharged engine at its all-new purpose-built state-of-the-art motorsport facility in Sakura, Japan.

It is against that backdrop that McLaren and Honda are now committing to rebuilding afresh the strongest possible partnership in Formula 1.

Ayrton Senna, perhaps the greatest driver in the history of the sport, won 30 of the 44 grands prix that McLaren and Honda annexed together between 1988 and 1992.

“I have never hidden my deep admiration for Ayrton Senna, my favorite driver, my idol on track, my reference, said two-time champion Fernando Alonso.

“I still remember, as a kid, the posters in my wardrobe, my toy cars in which I dreamed I would one day emulate Ayrton, and the kart that my father built for my older sister, and that I ended up falling in love with. That kart had the livery of one of the most legendary partnerships in the history of Formula 1, McLaren-Honda, the car that Ayrton drove, the same partnership to which I am now honored to join.

“Over the past year I have received several offers, some of them really tempting, given the current performance of some of the teams that showed interest. But, more than a year ago, McLaren-Honda contacted me and asked me to take part, in a very active way, in the return of their partnership – a partnership that dominated the Formula 1 scene for so long.

“I have viewed their fantastic facilities in both the UK and Japan, and it is clear to me that McLaren and Honda are beginning what is sure to be a long and successful partnership.

“I am extremely excited to be embarking on my 16th year in Formula 1 and my sixth season for McLaren,” said Jenson Button. “I admired Ayrton Senna enormously, but, for me, it was the exploits of his McLaren-Honda teammate Alain Prost that inspired me most as a boy. The way he stroked those beautifully brutal red-and-white cars to grand prix wins and world championships was poetry in motion, and I have tried to emulate his driving style ever since. I am absolutely raring to go.”

“I am absolutely delighted to be on the threshold of leading McLaren-Honda to a new era of partnership, and I speak on behalf of all at McLaren when I say that. I am equally confident that our colleagues at Honda share that determination and passion to win,” added Ron Dennis, Chairman and CEO of McLaren.

“As a pair, Jenson and Fernando are supremely experienced. Fernando has started 234 grands prix, has converted 32 of those starts to victories, has stood on a grand prix podium 97 times, and has won the drivers’ world championship not once but twice. He is a class act.

“As for Jenson, at 34, he is every bit as fit as Fernando but even more experienced: he has started 266 grands prix, has won 15 of them, and has stood on a grand prix podium 50 times. He, too, is an ex-world champion, and is one of the smoothest and fastest guys out there.

“I can safely say, therefore, that we now have the best driver line-up of any current Formula 1 team,” stated one of the most successful team principals of all time.

“Our partnership with McLaren goes from strength to strength. Yet the magnitude of the announcement is quickly bringing me back down to earth to focus harder and stronger on the seasons ahead,” added Yasuhisa Arai, Senior Managing Officer, Honda R&D Co Ltd and Chief Officer of Motorsport, Honda.

“Honda is speeding up the development of the power unit based on the recent Abu Dhabi test. Working together with these very experienced drivers, we will fine-tune the power units to competitive perfection towards the new season.”

Alonso summed up their prospects for the 2015 season best: “We have time, we have hopes and we have the resources. Let the legend return: that is our challenge.”