Magnussen hopes contract talks start soon

Kevin Magnussen hopes his talks with Renault about staying with the French works team beyond 2016 begin soon.

After losing his place at McLaren, the Dane got his F1 career back on track this year by joining the Enstone based team, following the Lotus buyout.

Renault has struggled so far in 2016 but Magnussen, 23, said he hopes to stay with the "project" next year.

"I hope it (the negotiations) doesn’t get too late in the season. I hate that," he told the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet.

"Hopefully it will be as soon as possible that we can begin to talk," Magnussen added.

"In the end it’s not up to me. I am very happy to be here and would like to stay a part of the project. I can’t say any more than that," he said.

Ekstra Bladet claims that Renault signed a one-year contract with Magnussen this year, but that the deal includes an option for 2017.