Ron Dennis has clarified exactly why McLaren chose not to renew Kevin Magnussen’s contract, leaving the young Danish driver on the sidelines, searching for an alternative to Formula 1.
Magnussen reported that he was dumped by phone on his birthday, but Dennis has quashed those claims, saying the termination wasn’t a surprise to the 23-year-old.
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to put some things straight,” the McLaren chairman told Denmark’s BT newspaper.
“First, it is simply ridiculous when Kevin says he did not know that his contract would not be renewed. It is not correct when he said that the formal termination came as a surprise to him.”
Dennis says Magnussen – who scored a podium on his debut in 2014 – failed to meet the goals McLaren set out for him to retain his seat.
“He was given the opportunity. A season in Formula 1 – with a number of very clear goals he had to meet. But he did not achieve them.
“It would not be appropriate to go into details, it would just create a negative spiral. But Kevin knows in his heart that he did not perform as he should have.”
Meanwhile Dennis hit back at claims McLaren have let a number of young drivers down, including Magnussen and Sergio Perez, both of which they dropped after a single season despite showing good form.
“We have taken many drivers in and paid for their careers,” he added. “We paid for Kevin’s career, which we also paid for Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Drivers come and go in Formula 1. Kevin’s career was in his own hands, but he did not deliver what was he expected to.
“Kevin is a good, talented driver who certainly can succeed in Formula 1. But there are several drivers who can – without ever getting the chance to prove it. So they must simply find other places to spend their careers. “
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