F1 reserve Kevin Magnussen came close to IndyCar drive for 2015

Now McLaren's reserve driver after racing for the team in 2014, the Dane explored opportunities to race outside of Formula 1, including IndyCar and at Le Mans with his father Jan.

But his call-up to replace the injured Fernando Alonso for the Australian Grand Prix ended his chances of racing in IndyCar, with a link having existed through Honda's involvement in the series as an engine manufacturer.

Frontrunning IndyCar team Andretti Autosport was a contender to run Magnussen earlier in the winter, but prior to Alonso's crash, team boss Michael Andretti said: "We talked. It's not happening."

"We were looking at IndyCar, trying to get an Indy drive, but always with Formula 1 as the first priority," Magnussen said on Friday when asked by AUTOSPORT why he won't be racing this year.

"But because I stood in for Fernando in Australia, that wasn't possible at all.

"So we dropped it and now I'm only planning to do this [reserve role].

"You never know what can come up during the year, but for now the only thing that's certain is that I'm going to be at the [Formula 1] races."

While admitting his frustration at being on the sidelines, Magnussen says he is focused on the bigger picture and getting back onto the Formula 1 grid.

"I'd prefer to be racing, I'd love to be racing, but I have a vision and a plan so it's not too bad," he said.

"Of course it's a bit boring and frustrating at the moment, but as long as you have something to look forward to it helps.

"My overall plan is to become a world champion of Formula 1.

"At the moment, the overall goal is to get a race seat, that's the first thing I'm going to do.

"I'm with McLaren now: whether it will be here, or them helping me to get into another seat is difficult to say.

"But I'm sure I'm in the best position I can be as a third driver."