Magnussen on contract: I won’t let repeat of 2014 happen

Kevin Magnussen says he won’t let negotiations about his F1 future drag on, with the Renault driver keen to avoid a repeat of what happened to him in 2014.

Despite an encouraging rookie campaign, Magnussen lost out to Jenson Button in the run for the second seat at McLaren. With protracted talks delaying the decision to December, the Dane was left without a full-time drive and had to step down to a reserve role.

Magnussen’s current deal with Renault is reportedly only for the 2016 campaign. With the halfway mark already fast approaching, the 23-year-old was asked for an update on his contract situation ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.

“It’s something I want to get it done as soon as possible,” Magnussen replied. “There will be some talks at some point. I hope it’s not going to be… I am not going to let it be as late as in 2014. I’m surely not seeing myself without a drive next year so I’m not too worried. It’s going to be fine.”

Renault has been struggling on its return as a works F1 outfit so far this year, with only seven points in the bank courtesy of Magnussen’s seventh-place finish in Russia.

The former Formula Renault 3.5 Series winner believes that “under-development” is the main factor holding back the team at the moment but is confident the French constructor will eventually turn things around.

“Many people have left, part of the factories have been rented out to companies, machines in the factory have not been updated for a long time.

“The main thing is just not having enough people. The people that we are trying to get are now under contract so these contracts need to be finished before they join. And then these people then need to settle down.

“It’s going to take a long time and we have to accept that and try and prepare as many things as possible now.”

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