Formula 1's Latest Rumours and Talk: Kevin Magnussen, Jenson Button and More
Kevin Magnussen was delighted when Renault offered him the opportunity to keep his Formula One career alive at the beginning of 2016, but the first half of the season has been rather depressing for the Danish driver.
Renault's heavy focus on the 2017 regulation changes has seen Magnussen restricted to just one points finish in the opening 12 races of this season, hampered by a modified 2015 car that was initially tailored for a Mercedes power unit.
With the team openly flirting with other drivers, Magnussen is facing an uncertain future, but the 23-year-old has admitted the prospect of returning Renault to winning ways has kept him motivated.
Another driver who may or may not be on the grid next season is Jenson Button, Magnussen's former team-mate, who may be set to return to Williams if McLaren-Honda decide to promote reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne alongside Fernando Alonso.
Facing his third retirement saga in as many years, Button has insisted he is not afraid of walking away from the sport, with the 2009 world champion hinting at what his post-F1 plans may include.
At this stage a year ago, taking a year-long sabbatical was a real possibility for Alonso as McLaren struggled with their new Honda power unit.
With the team making substantial progress in 2016, however, the future is beginning to look bright. Alonso, while taking no pleasure from his former team's struggles, has consequently wasted little time reminding everyone he was right to leave Ferrari all along.
Having finished in the top three in each of the last two races, Daniel Ricciardo is also beginning to reap the rewards after a character-testing period.
Red Bull's costly strategic and pit-stop errors in Spain and Monaco almost feel a lifetime ago after Ricciardo's podium appearances in Hungary and Germany, and the Australian has outlined why he has been aiming to change the public's perception of him.
Closing this week's roundup is Carlos Sainz Jr., who fears Toro Rosso's ageing Ferrari engines could leave the team facing a tough second half of 2016.
Kevin Magnussen Treating 2016 as a Preparation Year for Future Success
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Magnussen has declared himself "fairly happy" with his performances since his return to F1 at the beginning of 2016, revealing he is treating Renault's transition year as preparation for a future title challenge.
Following the French manufacturer's purchase of the financially troubled Lotus team at the end of 2015, Renault played down expectations for 2016, with chief executive officer Carlos Ghosn suggesting it could take them "two or three years" to compete for podium finishes, per Autosport (h/t Eurosport).
With the team focusing heavily on the major regulation changes for 2017, Renault have been restricted to just one points finish in the opening 12 races this season.
Along with team-mate Jolyon Palmer, the Dane's future with the team is far from assured, Autosport (h/t Eurosport) reporting Renault intend to partner Force India's Sergio Perez with current reserve driver Esteban Ocon for next season.
But Magnussen has revealed the prospect of returning Renault to winning ways has motivated him during a difficult season, admitting he is generally content with his start to 2016.
Per ESPN F1's Lewis Larkam, he said:
"You can always motivate yourself by thinking about next year and the year after that, just thinking about the future and try to learn as much as possible and prepare for when you get the chance because that's how Formula One is, suddenly you're in a car that can win and you have to deliver. So learning and preparing yourself for that time is what I'm doing now.
It's difficult not to be racing for points. If you're racing in P16 and P15, chasing someone down and even if you do get him and overtake him—you're working so hard to overtake him and you still don't get points. It is a very frustrating and challenging time but I know what I'm working towards. ...
You're still learning about yourself and what you need from a car, setting it up, what feedback is important, working with the team, getting the most out of your people. The teamwork is something that you never stop learning really because you get new people and things changing on the car. That's an ongoing learning process.
I feel fairly happy. I'm never satisfied because I always feel I can do better. I always feel I can improve. I've made a few mistakes but I also feel I've made a few miracles and that's kind of what I expected.
"
Cyril Abiteboul, the Renault managing director, told Autosport (h/t Eurosport) how the team is determined to sign a "charismatic" lead driver who will "be able to act as a leader and ambassador for the brand." But he insisted the team must not "rush any decision."
Meanwhile, Renault may be set for a change of livery in 2017, with Spanish publication El Mundo Deportivo (h/t Fox Sports) reporting potential sponsorship agreements with Movistar and BBVA could see the team switch from yellow to a "deep blue" colour scheme.
The same source added those deals could increase their chances of signing the Spanish-speaking Perez or Sainz, who despite signing a contract extension with Toro Rosso was linked with a move to Renault over the British GP weekend, per Autosport (h/t Eurosport).
Jenson Button Unafraid of Retiring from F1, Admits Interest in Other Series
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Button has insisted he is not afraid of retiring from Formula One, admitting he is determined to experiment with other categories when he leaves the pinnacle of motorsport.
The 2009 world champion is halfway through his 17th season in F1, having made his grand prix debut with Williams in 2000.
Button has driven for McLaren since 2010, but his place has come under threat in recent times, with chairman Ron Dennis telling Sky Sports News (h/t Sky Sports) the team will not decide whether to keep the British driver for 2017 until September at the earliest.
Williams have expressed an interest in re-signing the 36-year-old for next season, but deputy team principal Claire Williams recently told the Press Association (h/t Motorsport.com's Jonathan Noble) she will not "be waiting around" for Button to make a decision on his future.
Button has confirmed that a decision should be made in the coming weeks and is adamant he is not fearful of leaving F1, describing his desire to compete in the World Endurance Championship and Rallycross, a category in which his late father John excelled in the 1970s.
According to Motorsport.com's Pablo Elizalde, he explained:
"I haven't talked to the team yet. In September we are going to sit down and have a chat and decide whether I want to be racing in Formula 1 or whether they want me racing in Formula 1 or what the decision is.
And if I'm not racing in F1 next year, I don't know where I'm going to be. [I'll] have some fun.
I've lived my whole life by a schedule and suddenly I won't be living by a schedule, which will be the first time in my 18 years as an adult, which is really exciting, whenever that does happen. ...
In terms of racing, I'd like to do other racing series in the future.
I would love to be part of the WEC programme. I think I would really enjoy the camaraderie and the team effort that goes into building and racing a car for a long distance event.
I don't know what the possibilities would be in the future. There needs to be space for me to start with, because that's always very difficult, but if there was a space and it's something I was excited about, I'd definitely do it.
I'd also like to do Rallycross in the future, something my dad did. There's lot of things I'd love to do.
There are so many options, not just in motorsport, but in other sports, in life.
"
In July, Vandoorne, who won the GP2 feeder series in 2015, told F1 Report (h/t Sky Sports) his chances of partnering Alonso in 2017 were "looking very positive" but admitted Button is "still doing great" alongside the two-time world champion.
One of Button's rivals for a 2017 Williams seat is GP2 driver Alex Lynn, who holds a reserve role with the team and has pleaded with them to promote him to a full-time drive.
He told Motorsport.com's David Gruz and Jamie Klein: "I hope Williams sees enough potential in me to give me the chance, that's all I ask. F1 chances are like gold dust. It's hard to say, because what you need to get into F1 is someone to believe in you and someone giving you the opportunity."
Fernando Alonso Taking No Satisfaction from Ferrari's Fall from Grace
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Alonso has insisted he is taking no pleasure in watching former team Ferrari struggle in 2016 but has suggested the Prancing Horse's problems prove he was "right" to join McLaren-Honda.
Alonso spent five seasons with Ferrari between 2010 and 2014, twice coming within a matter of points of winning a third world championship, before returning to McLaren at the end of 2014.
The Spaniard's departure coincided with a return to form for Ferrari, who won three grands prix with Sebastian Vettel and emerged as Mercedes' closest challengers in 2015, when Alonso was restricted to just two points finishes.
Ferrari's success last season meant the team entered this campaign hoping to secure a first title since 2008, but they remain without a win after the opening 12 races and fell to third in the constructors' standings, behind Red Bull, following the recent German GP.
Per Motorsport.com's Elizalde, Alonso has said he is taking no satisfaction from Ferrari's difficult campaign, stating:
"I was right, because I felt it was right in 2014. I had two more years [on my contract] at Ferrari but I thought it was right to go.
Whatever results they achieved in 2015, 2016 or in the future...my time there was fantastic, and I wanted to finish with that fantastic feeling.
But every year was more stress, because you're not winning and it seems it's your fault.
Now it's not a relief that they are not winning or having more problems. I don't wish any problems to Ferrari, because it's a team I will always have in my heart.
"
Despite failing to finish higher than fifth thus far, McLaren have made huge progress in the first half of 2016, with the team threatening to join the battle between Williams and Force India in the fight for fourth in the constructors' championship.
Per the same source, Alonso reiterated his belief that only McLaren can end Mercedes' dominance of F1, adding: "In terms of my third world championship hopes, you drive for Mercedes or you drive for McLaren-Honda in the future, it's my opinion. That's the feeling from that decision."
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Daniel Ricciardo Determined to Prove He Won't Be 'Walked Over'
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Ricciardo has admitted he has made no effort to mask his frustration with Red Bull in 2016 in an effort to prove he won't be "walked over" during difficult times.
Since making his grand prix debut five years ago, the likable Australian has established a reputation as one of the more approachable drivers on the grid, but his charming personality has been tested to the limit at various points this season.
After Red Bull's strategic error cost him a potential victory at May's Spanish GP, Ricciardo accused the team of throwing "the win away," per Motorsport.com's Darshan Chokhani, before cutting a dejected figure on the podium at the next race, in Monaco, where a mix-up in the pits saw him finish second to Lewis Hamilton.
Ricciardo has revealed he has made a conscious effort to prove there is plenty of steel behind the smile, with the 27-year-old admitting he is disappointed not to have achieved more since his breakthrough year, 2014, when he claimed three race wins.
He told Autosport (h/t Eurosport):
"There are times when things don't go your way or they don't happen.
Because I'm always smiling and seen as the nice guy, it is important for people to see that when things aren't as they should be, I'm not just going to get walked over.
I will stand on my own two feet, and show this does mean a lot to me, that my desire is very strong in this sport.
I've done it well and said things when I felt I needed to, and then I've just gone about my business when I haven't really needed to do very much.
Which is why I don't want to say I am ever satisfied, because I am, but until I really get that world championship I will always be back teeth clenched. ...
I'd definitely hoped for more.
Even that year, when it ended, I thought 'You know what? If I'd had that car [a Mercedes] I would have been world champion.'
Not being able to take all of that since 2014 has been a bit frustrating. I'm sure it will come back around.
I've certainly learned a lot, to be a bit more—unfortunately—patient, to weather the storm and maximise the good days when they are here.
"
Despite claiming just three podium finishes—in Monaco, Hungary and Germany—Ricciardo told the same source 2016 is the best season of his career to date in terms of his own performances, stating: "The level I've approached everything with, the qualifying, certainly, that has got better and better, and some races. From the first day of testing I felt like I was on it, and I don't really feel I've lost that."
Carlos Sainz Jr. Admits 2015-Spec Engines Are Hurting Toro Rosso's Form
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Sainz has admitted Toro Rosso are beginning to pay the price for competing with 2015-specification Ferrari engines after their anonymous performance at the recent German GP.
Following Red Bull's struggle to secure an engine-supply deal for 2016, Toro Rosso switched from Renault to year-old Ferrari powertrains at the beginning of the season in the hope of finding more straight-line speed.
As early as the second round of the campaign, however, Mercedes technical chief Paddy Lowe revealed Toro Rosso's engines were the least powerful on the grid, per ESPN F1's Laurence Edmondson.
The Red Bull B-team managed to mask their lack of power in the early months of the season, with Sainz securing a career-best finish of sixth in May's Spanish GP, but Toro Rosso's weaknesses have been exposed in recent weeks.
After being restricted to just 13 points in the three races between Austria and Hungary, Sainz and team-mate Daniil Kvyat struggled in Germany, where despite the introduction of a major chassis upgrade, they finished 14th and 15th respectively.
Toro Rosso have already agreed a deal to return to Renault power from 2017, but Sainz has hinted the remaining nine races of this year could be difficult. Per Motorsport.com's Elizalde, he said:
"We knew it would come and I think it came already a couple of races ago, but I think our performance was really good at Silverstone, really good in Austria.
In Budapest we managed to hide it. In the last three races we have been struggling a bit more, having to experiment a lot with the set-ups to compensate for this. ...
It's an upgrade to produce downforce, but we can't put downforce on the car because we are clearly the slowest car on the straights by far.
We've calculated and we are losing more than a second in total on the straights.
We are having to run really, really low downforce. So it doesn't matter if you bring updates for downforce in your car if you can't run them because of the lack of power, so you are still in the same position.
It worked, we just can't put all our beans on the car at the moment.
"
With the upcoming events in Belgium and Italy placing a huge emphasis on straight-line speed, Toro Rosso's struggles are set to become even worse after the summer break.
But after being surprised by the team's competitiveness at other power-dependent circuits, Canada and Azerbaijan, Sainz has suggested Toro Rosso could exceed expectations by gaining more time in the corners.
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