McLaren-Honda to use 3-driver strategy for next two seasons

If you feel like there aren’t enough minutes of seat time between the two cars for Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso, try imagining what it will be like for them with a plus one starting next season.

McLaren-Honda has announced that the team will be employing an ‘innovative’ three-driver strategy at 2017 and 2018 Formula 1 season.

Ron Dennis, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Technology Group, announced that next season the team will have the services of 32-time Grand Prix winner Fernando Alonso and the young and up-and-coming Stoffel Vandoorne.

But as 15-time Grand Prix winner Jenson Button’s performance is still consistent and at par with the demands of the team, McLaren-Honda has decided to sign him to a new two-year extension making him a “senior, influential and committed member of the team, and will remain centrally involved in the development of our cars. He’ll also be available to race for us if circumstances require it.”

“On behalf of all at McLaren-Honda, I want to say how thrilled we are that Jenson has extended his contractual relationship with us. Moreover, I’m absolutely certain that the depth of his experience and the currency of his expertise will give us an advantage over our opposition next season,” said Dennis.

“I’m delighted that I’ll be staying on as a key member of the McLaren-Honda team. In fact I’m massively excited about my new role, which has come about as a result of a number of in-depth chats with Ron. Specifically, I’m looking forward to becoming even more deeply involved in the team’s efforts to bring about the success we’ve all been striving to deliver,” said Button.