Kevin Magnussen is being lined up as the reserve driver for the returning Renault works team, according to The Telegraph.
The Dane, who finished on the podium in his début race for McLaren, is desperate to remain in F1 after losing his reserve role at the Woking based team to GP2 champion Stoffel Vandoorne.
After being dropped in favour of Fernando Alonso for 2015, the 23-year-old has said that he doesn’t want another year on the sidelines and performed a test for Porsche’s WEC team last year.
Renault have confirmed Jolyon Palmer and Pastor Maldonado as their drivers for the upcoming season, but they are yet to announce a reserve driver.
Furthermore, Maldonado’s place could be under threat. The 30-year-old is substantially backed by Venezuela’s national oil company PDVSA, but the low price of oil – coupled with the political instability in Venezuela, could bring an end to the one-time Grand Prix winner’s stay in Formula One.
Magnussen has been spotted at Renault’s Enstone base and is believed to have been in discussions with team bosses about the third driver role. Should Maldonado leave, Magnussen will be a very highly regarded replacement.
