Magnussen: I'd love to race for Haas

Kevin Magnussen has gone on record saying he would love to race for the all new Haas F1 Team, while McLaren have denied reports it allowed the option on the young Dane's contract to lapse.

The reports coincided with intense speculation that Magnussen is set to leave Woking to drive for the new Haas in 2016, partnered by either Esteban Gutierrez or Jean-Eric Vergne.

Magnussen, absent in Singapore this week after breaking his hand in a cycling crash, was quoted in a headline by the Spanish daily as saying, "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] 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."

But as for claims the option in Magnussen's McLaren deal ran out on 31 August, a McLaren spokesman told us that is inaccurate.

"Eric Boullier has said that we would not stand in Kevin's way if the possibility that he might be offered a race drive with another team were to arise, that is all," he explained.

Haas have made it clear that they are seeking drivers with F1 experience to spearhead their debut at the pinnacle of the sport, and a close association with Ferrari have made them an attractive option for drivers on the fringe of F1.