Magnussen: Renault’s offer was not good enough

Kevin Magnussen has revealed that Renault made him an offer to drive for them in 2017 which he had to refuse, citing dubious management of the French team as one of the main reasons for his decision.

Speaking to journalists in Brazil, Magnussen revealed, “It was my decision. I had an offer, but it was not a good enough offer that I could take it. It was more the feeling of commitment from Renault’s side. If they had committed to a longer contract then I would have probably looked at it much more seriously.”

At one point Renault were openly courting Valtteri Bottas and Carlos Sainz, while the likes of Esteban Ocon, Jean Eric Vergne and even Romain Grosjean were on their radar.

Magnussen explained, “It was more the feeling of them not committing, offering the drive to so many others and I think at one point the pope had an offer! It was a bit messy, so it’s better for me to leave. More openness would have been good as well.”

“Sometimes it’s a bit difficult to know who is actually in charge here and who will make a decision. But that doesn’t matter now and it’s in the past.

“It is how it is and I have enjoyed my season with the team and I think it really is a great team. I love the people here and they have all been so friendly and they are very good as well, and I’m sure if they get the resources and the structure in place they can do the job.

“So there is sadness with leaving the team as well, I’m going to miss a lot of the people here. Hopefully we can keep in touch and luckily we will be in the same paddock next year. It’s not all bad.”

“It really is a lot about the feeling I had with the management here, but I’m happy the way it turned out at the end of the day, said Magnussen, clearly indicating that he has a deal sealed for next year.

According to numerous sources it is only a matter of days before Haas announce that the Dane will join the team, while team principal Guenther Steiner refused to comment on whether it is Magnussen or if they will retain Esteban Gutierrez.

Steiner wants the deal to be wrapped up by the time the F1 circus leaves Interlagos, “Hopefully we will announce something this weekend. There are still a few things things we need to talk to people about and then we will announce who our driver we will be.”

Read the full story at GRAND PRIX 247