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.”

Exclusive Q&A with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner

Click here for a gallery of the biggest crashes at Spa-Francorchamps 

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

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Sebastian Montoya steps up to Formula 2 with Prema

Sebastian Montoya, the 19-year-old son of former Formula 1 star Juan Pablo Montoya, is set…

8 hours ago

Sauber finds its ‘Northern Star’ under Binotto’s leadership

When former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto took on the role of Chief Operating Officer…

9 hours ago

Leclerc hails a season ‘without missed opportunities' in 2024

Charles Leclerc concluded the 2024 F1 season with a sense of satisfaction, the Ferrari driver…

11 hours ago

Coulthard sounds alarm over FIA president’s rift with F1 drivers

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has voiced his dismay at FIA president Mohammed Ben…

13 hours ago

The rapid rise and fall of Super Aguri in F1

Super Aguri's application to join Formula 1 became a reality on this day in 2005,…

14 hours ago

Ferrari's 2024 Season: Marked improvement and a fight to the finish

Ferrari roared back into contention in 2024 to deliver their strongest season in years, thanks…

15 hours ago