Kevin Magnussen says his call-up to replace Fernando Alonso at the Australian Grand Prix ended his hopes of racing in IndyCar this year.
Having been demoted to reserve driver this season, Magnussen was keen to race elsewhere alongside his McLaren duties and was in talks about an IndyCar switch if the schedule would allow. However, with Alonso’s pre-season testing crash ruling him out of the opening race of the year, Magnussen stepped in to the car but had to end negotiations about a switch to the US as a result.
“We were looking at IndyCar and trying to get an Indy drive but always with Formula One as the first priority and still with the plan of being test and reserve driver for McLaren,” Magnussen said. “When I stepped in for Fernando in Australia that wasn't possible anymore so we just dropped it.
“Now I’m only planning to just do this and you never know what can come up during the year. For the moment the only thing that’s certain is that I’m going to be at the races.”
And Magnussen says his long-term ambitions give him enough motivation for the year despite not being able to race in another series.
“I’d prefer to be racing. I’d love to be racing but I have a vision, I have a goal and a plan, so it’s not too bad. Of course it’s a bit boring and frustrating at the moment, but as long as you have something to look forward to and a plan and a vision then it helps and you have something to look forward to.”
Click here for former Honda engineer Jacky Eeckelaert's Malaysian Grand Prix debrief
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