Kevin Magnussen has responded to Jolyon Palmer’s comment that he was making a mistake in departing from Renault by saying the Briton “should be happy that I left”.
Magnussen was confirmed alongside Romain Grosjean at Haas F1 Team, having signed a multi-year deal with the US team, from the 2017 Formula One season.
The Dane was actually presented with a new contract from Renault but turned it down after he sensed a lack of commitment from the French manufacturer. Talking to the press at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Palmer feels his current team-mate is wrong to leave a works team.
“I think he should be happy that I left, honestly,” Magnussen offered in response, hinting that Palmer might not have been kept by Renault had he accepted its offer to partner Nico Hulkenberg.
Despite its remarkable achievement for its maiden F1 campaign, Haas has experienced some ups and downs in 2016. But that state of play does not faze its new recruit.
“I don’t think it’s the only team that has had ups and downs. There are probably only three or four teams that have achieved stability over the season. That’s not really the problem, I mean it is a problem, but many people have that in our end of the grid.
“I think it has been hugely impressive what they have done in their first year, it’s not a team that has taken over another team, they have created a new team of people and have been outright points scorers, even in their first race.
“I think that’s very impressive and very exciting, but perhaps a bit of a different structure than other teams, but exciting nonetheless.”
FP2 REPORT: 0.030s separate title rivals in FP2 at Interlagos
Romain Grosjean column: Time for Haas to raise its game
Chris Medland's 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix
FEATURE: What Rosberg need to do to win the title in Brazil
INTERVIEW: Fernando Alonso: Why F1 is no longer just for heroes
TECHNICAL: Under the skin of the Ferrari SF16-H
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
