F1 2017: Kevin Magnussen not looking beyond Renault
Kevin Magnussen is keen to stay with the Renault Formula 1 team for 2017 and sees no reason to look elsewhere
Renault is treading water this season after the French firm's late reacquisition of Lotus compromised its 2016 campaign, and it is now focusing its efforts mainly on '17 preparation.
Magnussen backed that decision and expects to still be onboard to benefit from it next year.
"Even if we put full focus on this car, we're so far behind that it's not going to change a whole lot," he said.
"You'll see improvements but we're not going to start winning or be podium fighters.
"It will just make things a little bit better and we'll catch up a little bit.
"For my own situation it doesn't make any difference really.
"I assume that I'm going to be here for the future and I'm going to focus on the future."
The Dane, an eleventh hour replacement for Pastor Maldonado this year, believes he and Renault are on the same page regarding extending his deal.
"I've clearly made it obvious that I want to stay and I consider myself part of the team and part of the future," Magnussen said.
"I haven't seen any signs that I'm not that.
"Time will tell but I feel happy and I feel confident so we'll see what happens.
"It doesn't seem like there is any rush. I've been in this situation before and you never really know.
"I'm not only talking with Renault people. I know a lot of people and you always talk, so you know what's going on and keep your doors open.
"But at the moment I don't feel like I'm going to need it."
Magnussen's team-mate Jolyon Palmer, who has yet to score a point in his F1 rookie season, is unsure of his future and believes Renault has more urgent priorities than its 2017 driver line-up.
"I don't think the team's in a big rush for it," he said.
"The team was only bought seven months ago, they're still trying to understand where we're at and I don't see a need for a decision on drivers so early.
"I've got another load of races to show what I can do and I'm sure it's going to play out later in the season.
"I would say the summer break is when people start to think about next year more and for us I don't expect there's going to be any decision until much later in the season."
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