Magnussen hopes experience pays off

Kevin Magnussen (L) – his check isn't big enough to buy a ride

Kevin Magnussen believes his experience with McLaren will stand him in good stead when seeking a drive for next season.

The Dane has been out of competition for a year after losing his McLaren race-seat to double World Champion Fernando Alonso.

McLaren, though, did keep Magnussen on the pay roll as he took on the role of official reserve and test driver.

"I have lots of experience that can benefit any team," he told Motorsport.com. "I've been driving McLaren F1 cars since 2012.

"I have had a year racing in F1, I have worked with McLaren for six years – and professionally at F1 level for three years.

"I was official test driver, then racing and then this year. I've learned a lot and more than people realize. I am sure that experience will be beneficial for anyone."

The 22-year-old is in talks with several teams about a race-seat, however, refused to name them other than to say that the new Haas F1 project sounds "interesting."

He added: "I am a racing driver, and I want to race in F1. I haven't got to the top step yet – I need to do, I want to do that and I will do that.

"I have had a really good time at McLaren since I joined as a young guy, and I've learned a huge amount and they have done so much for me.

"It would be great for me to race here, but they have two world champions and they are both doing a very good job. You can see they are so close in every race and every qualifying.

"If there isn't a place here – then I still want to be racing. There has been interest from other teams, they've reached out, and that is good to see. It shows I should be on the grid somewhere.

"I cannot identify any of the teams who have approached, but Haas does sounds like an interesting project – and something that could be good for the future." PlanetF1