Magnussen lands Renault drive

Kevin Magnussen will return to Formula One in 2016 replacing Pastor Maldonado at Renault.

The 23-year-old had a disappointing end to 2015 after discovering he was being let go by McLaren on his birthday and then missing out on securing a race seat with Haas F1.

But due to a contractual dispute between Renault and Maldonado’s sponsors, he has now been replaced by Magnussen for the 2016 Formula One World Championship.

Magnussen brings a lot of pedigree to the team alongside Briton Jolyon Palmer.

Magnussen came through the McLaren Formula One team’s Young Driver Programme, was Jenson Button’s team-mate for the 2014 Formula One World Championship season and the Danish driver stood on the podium on his debut in Australia and finished 11th in the championship after scoring 55 points.

For 2015, McLaren signed two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso and both Magnussen and Jenson Button appeared to be kept in the dark throughout 2014 on who would be kept to partner him.

It turned out that Button would be kept and Magnussen would drop down to reserve driver.

Due to Alonso’s crash in pre-season testing however, Magnussen started the 2015 season in the car and was due to race the Australian Grand Prix before technical gremlins prevented him from making his 20th appearance.

But that chance will now come in 2016 with Magnussen feeling he has a point to prove in F1.

‘It’s come out of the blue a little bit, it’s been a bit of a surprise to be back with such a strong company, but I can’t wait to get back in the car,’ he told Sky Sports.

‘It’s an incredible feeling and it means so much. It’s not only a Formula 1 drive but it’s a top drive. Renault Sport will be fighting for world championships in the future, it might have a build-up phase, but they’re here to win and that’s a goal I share. I can’t believe I’m now a part of it.’

‘Hopefully I’ll prove many points. I’m extremely motivated after a whole year away, I’ve been sitting on the sideline during the races for so many weekends and I’m hungry to come back and prove my worth. I’ve raced my whole life and I’m extremely hungry and keen to get in a race car again and even more so with Renault Sport!’

At the big unveil in Paris on Wednesday, Renault revealed the manufacturers new livery which was predominantly black with yellow flashes.

It has also been confirmed that Carmen Jorda will remains as Renault’s development driver in 2016.