Magnussen admits ’pressure’ from Sirotkin, Ocon

Kevin Magnussen has played down the fact he will sit out Friday morning practice in Russia.

Renault has inked a deal with SMP Bank-backed SMP Racing, in which Russian hopeful Sergey Sirotkin will get an outing in Magnussen’s car on Friday.

"I do not comment on the timing and whether it’s right or wrong," Dane Magnussen told Ekstra Bladet newspaper.

"In the end it’s a step forward for me if I get two sessions here, because it’s more than I got in China," he smiled, referring to his problems two weeks ago.

Magnussen said he would prefer to stay in the car all weekend but also tried to see the situation from the point of view of a third driver like Sirotkin.

"Last year it was not ideal for me not to do any laps," he said, recalling his season spent as McLaren reserve.

The truth, however, is that the presence of the SMP-backed Sirotkin and also team reserve driver Esteban Ocon puts pressure on Magnussen and teammate Jolyon Palmer.

"There is always pressure from the young guys, the new guys," Magnussen, 23, told the Danish newspaper.

"That’s the way it is. There is always pressure. It’s normal."