Jenson Button says former team-mate Kevin Magnussen has been “really helpful” since losing out to the 2009 world champion for the second McLaren-Honda race seat.
After winning the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2013, the Dane made his F1 debut alongside Button last year. His rookie season included a maiden podium in Australia but the 22-year-old eventually had to settle for a reserve driver role in 2015 following Fernando Alonso’s return to Woking.
While Magnussen subbed for the sidelined Spaniard in Melbourne, he has since gradually slipped behind fellow McLaren protégé and dominant GP2 Series leader Stoffel Vandoorne in the media limelight.
Button agrees the Belgian is “obviously very quick” and “doing a very good job at the moment”, yet strongly believes that Magnussen should not be ruled out.
“They’re both very, very talented,” said the 35-year-old in the latest Grid 1 TV video update. “The thing is you can’t forget Kevin. He has raced one season in Formula One.
“I was amazed at how much Kevin has learned in one year in F1. He’s there at every race, putting blocks together of comparison with us and other cars, with me and Fernando.
“He’s been really helpful to me, considering that we were both fighting for a seat last year.”
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