Magnussen links F1 return to future retirees

Kevin Magnussen claims it is crucial for him to stay “close” to the Formula One paddock in 2016, with several veterans’ contracts due to expire at the end of the season.

Despite an encouraging F1 debut with McLaren in 2014, the Dane had to step down to a reserve role in the wake of Fernando Alonso’s return to Woking. Magnussen was eventually dropped last October, with McLaren boss Ron Dennis explaining afterwards that the 23-year-old had failed to reach “very clear goals”.

Although the 2013 Formula Renault 3.5 winner has been in contact with Manor, he is unlikely to land one of the two remaining F1 drives in 2016, especially given the £10m price tag the Indonesian government is ready to pay to place Rio Haryanto.

However, Magnussen could benefit from the generation change looming ahead, with F1 stalwarts Jenson Button, Felipe Massa, and Kimi Raikkonen all entering the final year of their current deal.

“You are right,” he said when asked by Danish publication Ekstra Bladet about the sport's changing landscape.

“We are looking at something that has not happened in a long time, which is several drivers probably retiring from Formula One, so it's probably important to remains close to [the sport].”

Since being let go by McLaren, Magnussen has sampled Porsche’s LMP1 charger and tested Mercedes’ DTM title-winning machinery. Although the Dane has yet to make his 2016 plans official, the Germany-based touring car series seems to be the most likely option.

“I feel like I will get out and race again, as I want to do. It is hard to say what it will be at the moment. But no matter where I compete, I’ll give it my best.”

Magnussen's latest competitive outing came during the 2015 Australian Grand Prix weekend where he had to deputise for the injured Alonso at McLaren-Honda.

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