Magnussen 'best team mate since Alonso' - Grosjean

©WRI2

Haas F1 Team drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen appear to be engaged in a bit of flattery and reciprocity lately.

Magnussen recently vaunted the talent of his French team mate, saying that on his day, Grosjean was as fast as Jenson Button, who raced alongside the Dane at McLaren in 2014.

Grosjean just handed back the compliment, claiming Magnussen is the best driver he's had on the other side of his garage since Fernando Alonso.

Indeed, Grosjean sampled firsthand the two-time world champion's skills when the two were paired together at Renault in 2009, when Romain initiated his career in F1.

Magnussen considers Grosjean faster than Button 'on his day'

Since then he has shared teams with Kimi Raikkonen, Pastor Maldonado and Esteban Gutierrez.

"Honestly, he (Magnussen) is super fast," Grosjean told the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet in Austria.

"People have had the wrong perception of him, and he has surprised me.

"He is the best teammate I've had through my 'second' career in Formula 1," he added.

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

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

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.