Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Force India: no interest in Kevin Magnussen as short-term F1 option

Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley insists the Silverstone-based Formula 1 squad is not interested in taking on McLaren junior Kevin Magnussen on a short-term basis

McLaren is keen to place the Dane, who is on the brink of winning the Formula Renault 3.5 title, in F1 next season and Force India is seen as a potential destination.

But Fernley, who will evaluate the potential contenders for a 2014 seat before team principal Vijay Mallya and the board make the decision, does not believe Force India should be developing drivers for other teams.

"You can't ignore a driver that has done such a fantastic job in World Series, but Kevin is not our driver," Fernley told AUTOSPORT.

"We have a wonderful relationship with McLaren, but for anybody coming into the team we want to look at the long-term, not training someone for someone else."

F1 faces long-term driver shortage

Magnussen was originally slated to drive for Force India in July's young driver test at Silverstone.

The team decided against this after the regulations were loosened allowing race drivers to participate to evaluate the new Pirelli rubber.

While Fernley regards Magnussen as a hot prospect for the future, he does not see the McLaren junior as the right man for Force India.

Force India's model in recent years has been to invest in promising talents such as Paul di Resta, Jules Bianchi and Nico Hulkenberg with the intention of either developing drivers capable of getting strong results for the team, or selling them on to bigger outfits.

McLaren wants 2014 rides for youngsters

"In terms of the fact that Kevin is a McLaren driver and potentially a very good one, there is no question of it [his promise]," said Fernley.

"But we have got to look at where we are investing our time and efforts because next year is an important one for us.

"He is an exciting prospect, but not necessarily for us."

Force India has yet to officially confirm either of its drivers for 2014, with the decision-making process set to get underway at board level around the time of the Indian Grand Prix at the end of October.

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Pirelli says it cannot understand F1 Korean GP tyre criticism
Next article Romain Grosjean feels ready to lead Lotus in F1 2014

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe