Vandoorne ‘deserves to get to F1’ – Magnussen

Kevin Magnussen believes fellow McLaren protégé Stoffel Vandoorne “deserves to get to Formula One”, as the Belgian stars in this year’s GP2 Series with three Feature Race wins in as many rounds.

Magnussen made his F1 debut in 2014 after beating Vandoorne to the Formula Renault 3.5 Series title the previous year. The Dane secured a podium finish on his maiden Grand Prix but ended up taking a year off following McLaren-Honda’s hiring of Fernando Alonso over the winter.

The Spaniard’s pre-season crash led to Magnussen racing in Australia, but the 22-year-old has since been confined to the sidelines and watched Vandoorne shine under the eyes of the F1 paddock.

While he admits the ART driver should be given a shot at F1, Magnussen remains unfazed at the prospect of Vandoorne potentially by-passing him to secure a race seat.

“Stoffel is doing a really good job,” he said during a McLaren phone-in. “He deserves to get to Formula One. There's something wrong if he doesn't get to F1.

“But everyone is a threat when you are competing for a Formula One seat. What can you do about it? I’ve just got to focus on myself and not really worry about anyone else because I can’t do anything about it.

“I’m not racing so I can't beat him on track. I’ll just have to rely on my experience. I’ve done well in Formula One. I've been on the podium, and McLaren believes in me. They know what I can do and what my potential is.”

Click here for a more light-hearted take on the Monaco Grand Prix. 

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Williams' Boutsen hoists the mainsail in Adelaide

On this day in 1989, Williams' Thierry Boutsen secured his second F1 win when he…

15 mins ago

Horner: Max 'answered critics' with epic Sao Paulo GP drive

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hailed Max Verstappen’s sensational Sao Paulo Grand Prix victory…

53 mins ago

Sainz left puzzled by double crash drama in rainy São Paulo

Carlos Sainz was left scratching his head after a disastrous Sunday at the Sao Paulo…

2 hours ago

Alonso pushed through agonizing pain to complete Sao Paulo GP

Fernando Alonso braved both physical agony and mechanical challenges in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix,…

4 hours ago

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

18 hours ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

20 hours ago