McLaren looking for long-term driver line-up

EricBoullier

It has been another season of struggle for the British team, who sit sixth in the Formula One constructors' standings, 296 points behind leaders Mercedes.

McLaren have recorded just two podium finishes this term, both coming at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, where Kevin Magnussen finished second ahead of team-mate Jenson Button. 

There have been suggestions that McLaren will make a move to bring Ferrari's Fernando Alonso back to the team he raced for in 2007.

However, despite their disappointing results in 2014, racing director Boullier is eager to stress that McLaren will not rush into any decision over potential driver changes.

"If any driver becomes available on the market, we will be interested to see if they fit," he told Autosport.

"Our strategy, and I am not going to say we are going to change drivers, is we are in a position to wait.

"So we are going to wait until I understand what is going to be the driver market, not only for next year but also in the future years.

"The plan is to build McLaren for a long term at the top, and we need to know what we are going to do in three, four or five years."

As the team's senior driver, Button has been criticised by McLaren Group's chief executive Ron Dennis, who called for the 2009 world champion to "try harder."

However, Boullier has been pleased by Button's efforts in a campaign that sees him eighth in the world championship on 60 points.

"He [Button] is doing a good job. We want our drivers to give 100 per cent all the time," Boullier added.

"We want everybody to perform and, when you cannot get the performance you wish, it is sometimes difficult to accept it and you get frustrated.

"But it is the same for everybody and we need to push 100 per cent."

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