Kevin Magnussen says “I am not going to beg” in order to extend his Renault career beyond the current season, with the Dane eager to do the talking on track instead.
Magnussen has scored all of Renault’s points so far this year, picking up six with seventh place in Sochi for what remains the sole top-10 finish of the French constructor’s challenging return as a fully-fledged team.
The 23-year-old is on single-season deal while Renault is currently reviewing its options for its 2017 driver line-up. Reserve driver Esteban Ocon, who is set to make his F1 debut at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix with Manor, Force India's Sergio Perez, Williams' Felipe Massa, and Sauber's Felipe Nasr have all been listed as potential candidates.
“There's nothing more I can do or say,” Magnussen told Autosport about the situation.
“I’ve had some good opportunities to show what I can do. I've clearly got the most out of the car in qualifying the majority of the time, and also scored the only points the team have claimed this season.
“I know it's not my decision - if it was I'd have a very long contract - but I can only do my best and see what happens.
“I’m not going to beg for it [a second year]. I'm going to do my best on and off-track and then we will see.”
Magnussen is quite familiar with dealing with uncertainty over his race seat after he was left waiting by McLaren until the end of his 2014 rookie year only to lose out to Jenson Button.
“Every season in Formula 1, unless you are on a long-term deal, you are fighting for your future every single race,” the former Formula Renault 3.5 winner added.
“There is not a race you are not under pressure. It's an exam every single time you are in the car.
“That's natural, it comes with the territory in Formula 1, and we know at this point in the season there is a lot of talk around drivers, whether they are going or staying.
“I learned from the last time I was in Formula 1 that you can't ever feel secure, so I'm just trying to do my best, working as hard as I can and as closely as I can with the team.”
Magnussen's team-mate Jolyon Palmer also is on a one-year deal at Renault.
Chris Medland's 2016 Belgian Grand Prix preview
How Eric Boullier keeps McLaren on its toes
Pascal Wehrlein interview: The rookie who wants to lead
F1i Classic - Mayhem, monsoon and the mother of all Belgian Grand Prix
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
