Driver decision not a priority for Renault - pundit

Kevin Magnussen’s chances of keeping his place at Renault dramatically drop after September ends, according to the Danish newspaper BT.

The report reveals that a 2017 ’option’ in the Danish driver’s existing contract expires on 30 September, with this weekend’s Singapore grand prix being the last race before then.

"If the option is not activated, Kevin Magnussen is free to negotiate elsewhere," BT claimed.

Jens Hansen, the F1 commentator for Danish broadcaster TV3, claimed drivers may be a third-order priority for the French works team at present.

"Mainly, Renault needs to take control of its organisation," he said.

"They are having trouble finding new people for the factory in England, and secondly they need to prepare their car for next year, because if it’s not good, it doesn’t matter who’s driving it.

"So the drivers are probably in third place now," Hansen added.

At the same time, he suggested that Magnussen may have missed a couple of opportunities to convince Renault that he should definitely be re-signed for 2017.

"I have no doubt that had Kevin delivered two or three more performances like the one he did in Sochi, he would have a contract already," said Hansen.