Kevin Magnussen labels his relationship with former team-mate Jenson Button “quite rare”, despite losing out to the 2009 world champion in the run for the second McLaren-Honda race seat this year
Having won the 2013 Formula Renault 3.5 Series in dominant fashion, the Dane was promoted to F1 alongside Button the following season.
Although his rookie campaign included a stunning podium finish in Australia on debut, Magnussen eventually had to step down to a reserve driver role in the wake of Fernando Alonso’s return to Woking.
After Button recently lauded Magnussen’s help, it is now the 22-year-old’s turn to heap praise on the Briton.
“I do feel that Jenson has been very supportive ever since I started driving for McLaren and that’s quite nice and I guess quite rare that your team-mate is supportive,” Magnussen told F1i during an exclusive interview.
“He’s a tough competitor - massively - but also in the same way nice and supportive, and I think that’s quite rare and admirable.
“We still get on very well, so there’s no change in that. Obviously I try to help both Jenson and Fernando as much as I can and try to drive McLaren forward as much as I can.
“Obviously there are no miracles, but you try and do your bit and that’s what I’ve done.”
After deputising for the injured Alonso at Melbourne, Magnussen has reverted to being McLaren-Honda’s understudy and carried out extensive simulation work. While the Dane is itching to go back racing next year, he also relishes the opportunity to team up with a driver of the Spaniard’s stature.
“Obviously I’ve worked for a lot shorter time with [Alonso], I don’t know him as well as I know Jenson, but again it’s been a big value to watch him this closely. I’ve learned from him, definitely by watching his data, listening to his feedback, watching how he’s working with the team.”
“There’s a huge amount to learn from him, he’s got 15 years of experience in Formula One, and he’s a double world champion who is regarded as one of the best drivers on the grid. There’s a lot to learn from him, definitely.”
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