I'd love to race for Haas F1, says McLaren reserve Kevin Magnussen

Magnussen has already stated he has no intention of sitting on the sidelines with McLaren next season as he is desperate to get back behind the wheel.

With racing director Eric Boullier recently stating the team "intends" to retain Jenson Button alongside Fernando Alonso it means Magnussen is exploring his options.

Gene Haas has already confirmed he wants an experienced driver in his team alongside the Ferrari reserve he plans to employ - likely to be Esteban Gutierrez - and Magnussen sees himself as the ideal candidate should Boullier's remarks come to fruition.

Speaking to AUTOSPORT, Magnussen said: "I'm not going to name the teams I'm in contact with.

"All I'll say is this - it's been widely reported I'm in Haas's thoughts. In fact Gene has admitted that in recent interviews.

"I think he and Guenther [Steiner, team principal] are both very smart guys, and the way they're going about launching their new F1 team is clever and innovative.

"So, yes, if there's no McLaren race drive available for me, then of course I'd love to race for Haas.

"Having spent six years with McLaren, learning from some of the best drivers and engineers in the business, and because of the unique opportunity I've had to increase my technical knowledge this year, I think I'm very well placed to play a leading role in helping set up a new F1 team."

Earlier this year Magnussen came close to an IndyCar drive, only to be handed the chance of deputising for Alonso in the short term when the Spaniard sustained concussion in testing.

Magnussen is still not giving up on the prospect of returning full time to the seat he occupied in 2014 prior to making way for Alonso.

"I'm in constant contact with Ron [Dennis, McLaren Group CEO] and Eric, and if there's a vacancy at McLaren next year then of course that would be great for me," added Magnussen.

"We're having a tough time of it this season, but we're still a brilliant team - a team that knows how to win - and, believe me, the wins will come again.

"It would be such a fantastic thing if I could help the team get from the position we're in now to the top step of the podium again, and we can definitely achieve that.

"But obviously Fernando and JB are both great drivers, world champions, so you can't blame Ron and Eric for wanting to keep them both.

"They've said that publicly, and I understand that, but they've also said if they keep Fernando and JB they won't stand in my way of getting an F1 drive with another team, and I appreciate that."