Dennis: Kevin Magnussen's career 'on pause'

Kevin Magnussen was the big loser following the transfers marked by the return of Fernando Alonso in McLaren. The Woking team had to choose between Jenson Button and the Dane, but it was the 2009 world champion who was preferred, the rookie having finished still 71 points behind the Briton. Magnussen's future seems complicated as the two world champions signed a contract for several seasons.

However, Ron Dennis assured that he remained confident in the future of Kevin Magnussen who retained a position as test pilot, reserve pilot and third pilot. “His career is on pause, we had to press the pause button, but he’s a superb driver like them.”, commented the President of McLaren Group. “I had the difficult exercise of trying to explain to him why the decision was in favor of Jenson and I highlighted that he will have something in common with Fernando and Mika Häkkinen."

Ron Dennis cites these two pilots becausetheir journey also experienced a truce before they manage to bounce back. “A season of testing doesn’t take you away from the opportunity to be in F1 » added Ron Dennis. “Fernando spent a year testing between Minardi (2001) and his arrival at Renault (2003). Mika spent two seasons at Lotus (1991 and 1992) and completed a testing season before driving for us. Both obviously subsequently won Championships (two each). »