Nov.16 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen has denied he ruled out keeping a foot in the F1 door next year by signing up for a new reserve driver role.
It was believed the main reason the Dane split with McLaren is because he was determined to return to racing in 2016.
Indeed, he recently tested Porsche’s Le Mans prototype and has been replaced as McLaren reserve by Stoffel Vandoorne, who looks set to split his time next year between the F1 paddock and the Japanese series Super Formula.
23-year-old Magnussen, meanwhile, was quoted by the Danish broadcaster TV2: “There are several possibilities in formula one if I want to be reserve driver, but I do not. I will go and race something next year.”
But on Twitter, Magnussen insists his comments were mistranslated.
“I actually said I want to be racing in 2016, that’s my priority, but if I can also be an F1 team’s reserve driver that would be good,” he said.
BT, a Danish newspaper, suggested that a reserve role at Lotus or Williams is possible.
“My focus for the future has not changed,” Magnussen insisted. “And I’m happy to say that I have some good options.
“One of them is Porsche and there are still opportunities in formula one, which I think people can figure out for themselves,” he added.
But he says he is definitely finished as McLaren’s reserve, and will not come to Abu Dhabi next weekend.
“McLaren has finished our cooperation,” said Magnussen, “so there is no reason for me to sit and listen to what the McLaren setup is and details about the car when I know I am leaving the team.”