ANKARA
British Formula 1 team McLaren-Honda announced their drivers, Spanish Fernando Alonso and British Jenson Button for the new season on Thursday on the team website.
The 22-year-old Danish driver Kevin Magnussen, who raced for McLaren-Honda last year, will be part of the team as a test and reserve driver.
"Over the past year I have received several offers, and some of them were 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," former Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso said.
"McLaren-Honda’s repeated expressions of interest, perseverance and determination in making it possible for me to join their exciting renewed partnership, have been some of the main factors that made me take this decision, not forgetting the most important factor of all: We share a common objective and expectations, and there is a very solid future, with confidence, ahead," the Spanish driver added.
"I have had an in-depth discussion with all the senior people at both McLaren and Honda, I have seen their fantastic facilities in both the U.K. and Japan, and it is clear to me that, together, McLaren and Honda are in the process of beginning what is sure to be a long and successful partnership. And I intend to give 100 percent to help make it exactly that," Alonso said.
His teammate Button, who has driven for McLaren since 2010, said that he will be spending his 16th season in Formula One next year and that he's happy to stay at the British team.
"Like Fernando, I am certain that McLaren and Honda will achieve great things together, and I feel sure that, working together, all of us will pull incredibly hard to create a brilliantly effective winning team," Jenson Button added.
"I am also very glad that Kevin will remain part of the team. He is a very quick driver and a really nice guy."
Fernando Alonso was Formula 1 winner in 2005 and 2006 while he was driving for Renault. His teammate Button was crowned as Formula 1 champion with Brawn GP in 2009.
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