Magnussen 'can't understand' Renault driver delay

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Kevin Magnussen says he "can't understand" why it is taking Renault so long to make a decision over next season's driver line-up.

Renault originally said it would take a decision at the start of September in order to prepare for 2017, but has pushed back that deadline and still yet to make an announcement as it weighs up its options. Alongside current drivers Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer, Esteban Ocon is understood to be in the frame while Renault has also been linked with Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez.

While Palmer says he understands why Renault is taking its time, when asked if he also can see the situation from that viewpoint, Magnussen replied: “No, I can’t understand it.

"I find it very easy to take a decision. That’s it.

"Of course it’s frustrating not knowing what you’re doing next year. So I want to know as soon as possible."

And Magnussen admits the uncertainty he faced at McLaren - when he lost his race seat in December after a solid rookie year - makes him wary of the current situation.

“That’s an experience that I don’t want to go through again, for sure. But I don’t think I will go through that again, I think there is going to be a decision sooner rather than later.

“I can make a decision, for sure, but there are other drivers in the picture as well. I don’t know. Honestly I’ve read what you guys write and that is what I know.”

The Dane also says he doesn't feel the need to enter into many conversations with other teams himself, as he feels his on-track performances should convince potential suitors.

“Well I don’t feel like I need to say anything. My conversations are when I’m driving, that’s what I do. I try and drive and do the best possible job on track and let that talk for itself. That’s the only thing I feel like I can do.

“I don’t care what’s in the contract, as long as it says I’m driving then I’m fine.”

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.