Magnussen supports Vandoorne for F1 drive

McLaren test driver Kevin Magnussen has come out in support of GP2 ace Stoffel Vandoorne getting an F1 drive next season.

The Belgian has had an amazing season so far, with a commanding lead in the GP2 championship leaving Monaco ahead of former Caterham and Marussia test driver Alexander Rossi.

Both Magnussen and Vandoorne drove together in the Renault 3.5 in 2013, with Magnussen winning the title and therefore getting him the McLaren drive the following season.

“Stoffel is doing a really good job,” said Magnussen to Autosport. “He deserves to get to F1, there’s something wrong if he doesn’t get to F1.

“But I guess everyone is a threat when you are competing for an F1 seat. What can you do about it?

“I’ve just got to focus on myself and not really worry about anyone else because I can’t do anything about them. “I’m not racing, so I can’t beat them on track.

“I’ve got to rely on my experience, I’ve done well in F1, I’ve been on the podium.

“McLaren believes in me, they know what I can do and what my potential is.

“The right thing to do is to stay with McLaren and be part of this team’s future, which I believe is going to be big.”

Supporting Vandoorne comes at odds with his own situation. Locked out of McLaren with Button and Alonso on long term contracts, Kevin Magnussen could be out of a drive for next season as well with McLaren/Honda not having a second team. Manor could be an option if money from Honda was behind him, although any seat he does compete for will be in competition with Vandoorne.

Magnussen looked at driving at Le Mans this season with his dad, although that fell through. A IndyCar deal was also on the table, although taking up the drive in Australia meant that wasn’t possible.

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