Magnussen ‘not prepared’ to sit out 2016

McLaren reserve driver Kevin Magnussen has warned the team that he will not wait around for another season on the sidelines.

The Dane drove for McLaren last season, but was dropped for this year as they hired Fernando Alonso to race alongside Jenson Button as their partnership with Honda developed.

Magnussen deputised for an injured Alonso in the Australian Grand Prix, but failed to make the start due to a car failure.

He told AUTOSPORT: "There will not be one more year without racing - no way in hell. I'll stay for one year like this and then hopefully something will happen [in F1], and if not you'll have to move on and do something else.”

With Alonso guaranteed to be driving at McLaren next season, the pressure is on Button.

The Englishman signed a two-year deal last year, but boss Ron Dennis said that the deal was a one-year contract with an option for a second.

If the team move Button on, as they seemingly want to, then they will choose between Magnussen and Stoffel Vandoorne to come into the team.

"I'm not saying I definitely won't be here as reserve driver. If I don't get a [race] drive then I might do something else and if I can be reserve driver as well then that'll be good,” Magnussen continued.

"But I hope that's not going to be it - I hope to be back in Formula 1 next year."

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