Magnussen admits Renault axe reports ’annoying’

Kevin Magnussen has called reports that he will leave Renault at the end of the season "annoying".

Two respected British media outlets, including the magazine F1 Racing, are claiming that the Dane as well as Jolyon Palmer will lose their places at the Renault works team.

It is rumoured Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez are first in line for the seats, but the Danish newspaper BT quoted Magnussen as calling that speculation "annoying".

"I think I’m working hard and doing a good job so there is probably no reason to worry," he added.

"And in comparison with Palmer I have had a clear advantage through the first half of the season."

So Magnussen, 23, played down the apparent seriousness of the situation.

"From a timing point of view it’s not so bad because I’ve been through it before," he said. "The only thing I can say for sure is that at the moment no one has a signed contract with Renault for 2017," he added.

BT correspondent Peter Nygaard also said it is not time for Magnussen to panic.

"It is clear that Renault is in no hurry," he said. "If they want him, they can take up the option when they have to and still look around at the (other) drivers.

"It’s a frustrating situation for Kevin and a repeat of what happened to him in 2014, but fortunately for him he is a much more mature person and driver than he was at McLaren," Nygaard added.

Asked if he is surprised Magnussen’s career is once again under a cloud, he answered: "No, this is formula one.

"There are 22 seats and I think 12 of them are drivers with much more money than Kevin. So there are 10 left and it’s the eternal battle," Nygaard said.