Boullier, impressed by Magnussen, aims for the title with McLaren
McLaren experienced a very positive weekend by placing its two drivers on the podium in the first race in Australia. Jenson Button finished 3rd and especially Kevin Magnussen, 2nd (after Daniel Ricciardo's disqualification), impressed the new sporting director Eric Boullier. According to him, the Dane demonstrated remarkable maturity for his first race. Enough to aim for the title this year!
The disastrous year of 2013 for McLaren could have left its mark on Woking. But from the first Grand Prix of this new season, the men in gray were reassured by seeing their two drivers climb onto the podium.
If it is not really a surprise to see Jenson Button at this level, Kevin Magnussen’s performance has left a mark, especially on Eric Boullier, the racing director, who said he was impressed by the speed and maturity of the young Danish driver: « He had an incredible weekend. He didn’t make a single mistake, he drove with maturity like an experienced driver, and I must say I am blown away because he is only 21 and handled the pressure beautifully. »
If Magnussen’s path in the promotion formulas suggested he could achieve great things in Formula 1, no one expected him to be so competitive right from the start of the season, outperforming his experienced teammate Jenson Button throughout the weekend, which really surprised Eric Boullier: « It wasn’t an easy weekend, with challenging conditions. But I am delighted and very impressed. Kevin was brilliant. »
What hasn’t escaped the Frenchman is also the pace of the Mercedes, which dominated this weekend: « They are very fast, so much so that they are a big step ahead of everyone. We will do our best. We are putting things in place and working to ensure that we can make up for lost time in development and also work on next year’s car so that we can be competitive. The guys have done an excellent job. »
A renewed ambition for McLaren, which is aiming for the title this year: « But the goal is also to lead the championship after the last race. »
Before that, this good form will need to be confirmed in two weeks for the next Grand Prix in Malaysia, which you can follow with live commentary on MotorsInside.
