Well, it's happened. Kevin's in.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111249

I'm incredibly pleased for Kevin, the Vettel of FR3.5 this season, but in some ways am unsure.

Hopefully with old hand JB, a supportive team and in-season testing at his disposal, as well as an awesome car, Magnussen can get the results he has shown the potential to achieve.

The only issue with this decision is that he'll inevitably be compared to Lewis Hamilton so he will be under a lot of pressure to perform, so hopefully McLaren's 2013 flop will ease his job a bit.

But today has been a crazy day for signings. Kvyat has got the superlicense, Massa's gone to Williams and now this!

[Salamus]

Wow. Two drivers that surprised everyone last year (Maldonado and Perez) don't have rides now. Maybe Perez will go back to Sauber?

As for Magnussen, he has a lot of potential but it seems McLaren want success right away. There is going to be a lot of pressure on him next year, but not to the extent of what Hamilton had to go through.

[bella]

not at all surprised, not at all unsure. this is really awesome news.

the best thing is that he's not going to give a flying poo if everyone doesn't think he's ready, it's not going to get to him at all. the bbc article about this story is a good read, and incredibly detailed. the "sources" clearly wanted the story out there for a reason!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24903504

[Adam43]

Great stuff. A year of practicing before Honda.

Is he allowed to do a million miles in a two year old car? Would it help?

[bella]

not unless they had a big old supply of '13 tyres to get him used to driving with those. like the bbc article says, he's actually quicker than perez on the sim already.

[Adam43]

Good point, McLaren's sim is top notch.

[p-matt]

Kevin is great and worthy of an F1 seat. But with McLaren? Hmmm, not sure. He hasn't shown the obvious spark Lewis did. Even the likes of Hulkenberg and Grosjean were more outstanding in their junior careers.

But then again McLaren have a junior programme and they're using it to find drivers for their team. Just like Red Bull. A ballsy decision like that has to be applauded I guess.

[bella]

yep, that's exactly why i think it's good - some real risks arebeing taken with driver choice by both toro rosso and mclaren for next year. granted, they're probably not risks from where they're sat with all the data but to us it is. it's kind of oldschool, isn't it?

excellent opinion piece from the 3.5 correspondent from autosport who also saw him turn into an epic driver over the past 2 years: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111250

[p-matt]

Toro Rosso a bit more of a risk that's for sure. The thing is I can feasibly see Kvyat, Magnussen, and I'll add Ricciardo to this too, struggle next year. What happens then? Do they get ditched in favour of Vandoorne or Sainz or whoever comes through next? F1 only has itself to blame for not giving young drivers enough experience or enough time to flourish before they step up.

Will Buxton put it very well if the Sky F1 midweek show when he said he was sure Kvyat isn't ready for F1. He said that drivers plying their trade and spending several years to master GP2 or whatever is no bad thing as it takes drivers time to be F1 ready. But there's the paradox that in the motorsport world that if a driver spends more than two years in a junior championship he's immediately labelled a journeyman. It's not seen as an advantage that they have more experience and knowledge to draw on as it would in any other working environment.

Apologies for the massive tangent there!! To hastily bring it back to Magnussen - McLaren will prepare him very well I'm sure. So much will come down to how good that car is to know what sort of expectation will be on his shoulders.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Salamus

Wow. Two drivers that surprised everyone last year (Maldonado and Perez) don't have rides now. Maybe Perez will go back to Sauber?

As for Magnussen, he has a lot of potential but it seems McLaren want success right away. There is going to be a lot of pressure on him next year, but not to the extent of what Hamilton had to go through.

Well, on his 3rd lap at the Dubai Test session, he set a time good enough for 6th on the grid for the race .

Some news (rumors), which hasn't hit the international press yet, is that the Danish investment bank Saxo Bank, might switch all their sponsorship attention away from Saxo Bank cycle team (which might be sold to Tinkoff) to Formula 1, to support Kevin Magnussen at McLaren. I don't know their sponsorship budget - but it's not small.
This could be interesting with this announcement:
McLaren unlikely to announce new title sponsor on December 2

[Knowlesy]

He's going to be massive. Massive.

[spider]

I'm delighted with this news! I'm sure Bianchi's decent showings this year, along with the mighty step Seb's made from 3.5 haven't exactly harmed Kevin's case.

He's clearly very fast and impressive as a character too. I remember Monisha hinting at the end of last year that they felt that their car was the fastest out there at times last year and the drivers weren't extracting the most from it - hence why they were excited by Nico. Shame this car's not been on that level.

Button's clearly not one of the fastest out there, he has other qualities, but Sergio hasn't looked as fast, in fact he's looked a fair bit slower at times. That's not good enough for a front-line team. Wonder where he'll end up next? Doubt Sauber will want him back, unless he's bringing a decent wedge with him...

[Salamus]

Originally Posted by CTD

Well, on his 3rd lap at the Dubai Test session, he set a time good enough for 6th on the grid for the race .

Haha I read about that. I say beginner's luck!

I do hope he does well, could be champion one day!

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Salamus

Haha I read about that. I say beginner's luck!

I do hope he does well, should be champion one day!

I allowed myself to change that (on the day's occasion!)

[garcon]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

He's going to be massive. Massive.

"Mighty", surely?

[CTD]

Sources close to Kevin, say the deal is not confirmed, and therefor asks people to wait until he, his family or his manager confirm it.

[m355y]

Originally Posted by spider

He's clearly very fast and impressive as a character too. I remember Monisha hinting at the end of last year that they felt that their car was the fastest out there at times last year and the drivers weren't extracting the most from it - hence why they were excited by Nico. Shame this car's not been on that level

Always felt this was likely. The C31 was a race winning car. Both Kobayashi and Perez were unconvincing - the odd good result, but inconsistent and failing to capitalise on a car that was probably on about the same level as a Lotus or dare I say a Ferrari. McLaren realised they'd made a mistake pretty early I think.

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by garcon

"Mighty", surely?

I have never, and will never, use that word.

[Adam43]

Which word? Massive?

[Knowlesy]

Nice try.

[Adam43]

I didn't think it would work

[Beetle]

It will be great to have a Danish driver in F1. I'm sure he'll be great.

Maybe time for a Danish GP?

[Knowlesy]

Around the streets of Copenhagen. Such a wonderful place!

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Beetle

It will be great to have a Danish driver in F1. I'm sure he'll be great.
Maybe time for a Danish GP?

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Around the streets of Copenhagen. Such a wonderful place!

There has been attempts of a Danish GP circuit.
But with the bill the dear Bernie asks for, it will never happen .

BUT, if it does come, it should be at Ring Djursland

[Greem]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

He's going to be massive. Massive.

Oh. Look what happened to Hulkenberg...