Magnussen wants to stay at Renault - father

Kevin Magnussen is hoping to stay with Renault so that 2016 is not a "lost" year.

That is the claim of the Dane’s father, former F1 driver Jan Magnussen who was asked about his 23-year-old son’s chances of keeping his seat with the French works team.

"I have the very distinct feeling that Kevin ideally wants to stay with Renault, so that this year has not been lost," Jan told the Danish broadsheet Jyllands Posten.

"It’s been a tough year at the back with a car that was worse than I had expected," Magnussen added.

"I certainly believe that Kevin will make progress and be a part of it again when they hopefully take a big step forward next year," Jan said.

Jan, who made his F1 debut in the 90s for McLaren and also drove for Stewart, also confirmed reports that his son’s contract ’option’ to stay with Renault beyond 2016 expires in a few days.

"The date is coming quickly and then Kevin will be theoretically free to negotiate with others," he said. "But there is nothing new with the situation. So we have to wait."