With the news breaking earlier in the week that Pastor Maldonado wouldn’t be continuing on for the team, Kevin Magnussen was officially unveiled as his replacement, next to rookie, Brit Jolyon Palmer. However, Wednesday served as official confirmation of this.
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The Danish driver started in 11 races with the podium finish at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix being his best result.
And it is Magnussen who will take his place, earning a race seat having served as McLaren’s reserve driver behind Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso in 2015.
Renault were known to be unhappy with the signing of Maldonado by Lotus executives last season and were agitating for change. Despite the success as an engine supplier to Red Bull, Renault couldn’t resist the temptation to get back in the game. Renault Sport will be fighting for world championships in the future, it might have a build-up phase, but they’re here to win and that’s a goal I share. “Racing is an important part of our company’s culture and heritage”.
“Will it be black in Melbourne?”
Four-time world champion Alain Prost, a former Renault driver who works as a Renault ambassador, was equally enthusiastic.
Maldonado said he felt “proud” of his record in F1 after spending three years with Williams and two with Lotus, the forerunner of Renault.
A few months on, he feels like he is starting over again – albeit with a different mindset.
Training has also been an important focus for Magnussen in order to ensure he is ready for the challenge with a new team. “It’s much more worldwide, so it will be a good project”. “Formula One is a big part of our efforts to boost awareness of Renault, particularly in markets where Renault is a newcomer, and will enhance the transfer of technologies from the track to our road cars”.
“But in my position, being out for two years would have been the end of my F1 career”. “The final details supplied by F1’s main stakeholders gave us the confidence to accept this new challenge”.
Maldonado’s Twitter message said simply “Comunicado” [Message] with a link to a statement that thanked God, his fans, his family, and made reference to the 200 trophies and many championships he has won as a driver before confirming the long-rumoured truth.
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Palmer is making his F1 debut. He had been in consideration for a seat at Haas before Ferrari test and reserve driver Esteban Gutierrez was eventually given the spot instead.
