Magnussen: Vandoorne deserves to be in F1

Kevin Magnussen was sidelined by the McLaren team at the end of last season in favor of the Alonso/Button duo this year, but the Dane remained within the Woking team by becoming the reserve driver. Magnussen earned this promotion thanks to his title in Formula Renault 3.5, notably against Vandoorne, who is also a member of McLaren’s young driver program.

But while Magnussen raced in Melbourne at the start of the season, he hasn’t found another program for this year and must settle for an observer role, while Vandoorne is delivering strong performances in GP2 as he is currently leading the drivers’ championship by a wide margin.

When asked if his colleague’s performances complicated his possible return to F1, Magnussen replied that the Belgian deserved to be in F1, as cited by the website GPUpdate: « Stoffel is doing a very good job and he deserves to reach Formula 1. I think there is something wrong if he doesn’t make it to Formula 1. »

But Magnussen is not focusing on the Belgian driver in particular and his rivals, but on his own strengths to hope for a return to Formula 1 in 2016: “I think everyone is a threat when you’re racing in Formula 1. What can you do? I just have to concentrate on myself and not worry about others because I can’t do anything about them. I’m not racing, I can’t beat them on track, so I have to rely on my experience.”

He believes his 2014 year speaks for itself in terms of results – a podium and eleven finishes in the points in 20 races – in his aim to secure a full-time role in F1: « I was good in Formula 1, I have the experience and I’ve done great things – I finished on the podium. McLaren believes in me so they know what I’m capable of and what my potential is. I think I have a future. I’m quite positive so I’m going to work and learn as much as possible this year. »