Steiner: Magnussen 'absolutely' deserves to remain in F1

Haas team boss Guenther Steiner believes Kevin Magnussen's talent and maturity warrant that the Dane remain in Formula 1.

Magnussen and Haas teammate Romain Grosjean have not been retained by the US outfit for 2021, while their successors have yet to be announced.

Both drivers have endured a difficult time with their team this season, dogged by the weakness and issues impacting Haas' VF-20 contender.

Despite scoring but a single point so far this season, one less than his teammate, Magnussen gets a positive recommendation from team boss Guenther Steiner.

"Absolutely," said the Italian when asked if the Dane was good enough to remain on the grid.

"I mean I think he’s good enough, just at the moment it’s tough to find a seat, but he has shown over the last four years with us and before, that he has the talent; he just needs to find somewhere.

"He matured a lot I would say. I’m very complimentary of that towards him.

"The first two years I think he had still what you call the symptoms, the post, of being fired twice from a team. He was always a bit on the edge, but he calmed down a lot, he’s much more mature, it also comes with age that you become much more mature.

"But as a race car driver he is much more calm and if there is something [wrong] he doesn’t fall out of balance."

• Read also: Grosjean says Haas drivers dropped for 'financial reasons'

With available seats in F1 few and far between, Magnussen's chances of remaining in F1 next season appear slim, although an unforeseen event can always spring a fresh opportunity.

The 28-year-old won't have much to lose in the final races of the 2020 season, starting with this weekend's visit to Imola, a venue Magnussen has yet to discover.

"It’s a completely new track to me," he said. "I’m going to have to get to know it quickly as we only have that one practice session.

"It’s going to be a nice challenge. I know it’s a really cool track – one that I’ve always watched on television in the past when I was watching Formula 1 as a young kid.

"I’m happy I’m finally going there."

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