Magnussen Pursues 2016 F1 Return as Porsche Test Nears
After losing his McLaren seat, Kevin Magnussen is keeping his Formula One ambitions alive for 2016 while preparing to test Porsche's LMP1 car.
Kevin Magnussen is not giving up on a Formula One drive for 2016, despite his recent departure from McLaren. The Danish driver, released by the Woking team on his 23rd birthday, confirmed he is still working on options to remain in F1 next season.
Magnussen Pursues Formula One Return After McLaren Exit
Magnussen's immediate future includes a test with Porsche's LMP1 team, whose 919 Hybrid prototype won the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours. He will join Oliver Turvey and Mitch Evans at the test, with Porsche considering candidates for a possible third car entry at Le Mans next year. The opportunity arose in part because F1's 2016 calendar clashes with the French endurance classic, ruling out Nico Hülkenberg's return to defend his Le Mans title.
F1 Remains the Priority
Despite the prospect of a factory sports car seat, Magnussen insists his priority is a return to grand prix racing. With most F1 teams having confirmed their 2016 line-ups, the remaining available seat is at Manor. The British-based team is reportedly seeking drivers who can bring substantial sponsorship, with some reports putting the figure at $10 million. Magnussen said there is no fixed deadline for a decision, other than the first race in Melbourne in March 2016.
McLaren Exit and Racing Ambitions
Magnussen made his F1 race debut with McLaren in 2014, scoring a podium in his first race and completing a full season before being moved aside for Fernando Alonso in 2015. He spent the following year as McLaren's reserve driver, but made clear he did not want to continue in a non-racing role. With Jenson Button and Alonso retained for 2016, McLaren had no race seat to offer.
For now, he remains in contention for both, with his future to be decided in the coming months depending on team choices and available funding.
Le Mans Test as Alternative Path
The Porsche LMP1 test offers Magnussen a chance to remain visible at the top level of international motorsport if an F1 seat does not materialise. With the 2016 Le Mans 24 Hours clashing with the new Formula One calendar, the pool of available drivers for Porsche has shifted, opening the door for those not committed to a full F1 season. Magnussen will compete for the seat against Turvey and Evans, both of whom have experience in single-seaters and endurance racing.
- Magnussen: F1 experience with McLaren, podium finisher
- Turvey: McLaren test driver, Formula E
- Evans: GP2 race winner, WEC experience
Should Magnussen secure the Porsche drive, he would join a manufacturer leading the way in hybrid endurance racing. If Manor or another F1 team makes an offer, his stated preference is to return to the grand prix grid. Until then, he remains a contender in both paddocks, waiting for a decision that could shape his racing career for 2016 and beyond.
