There’s no better way to embark on writing duties for the 2016 Formula One season than with a feel good story. And there’s none better than welcoming young Kevin Magnussen back to the sport.
The newly rebranded Renault Formula One Team confirmed that the popular Dane will replace Enstone stalwart Pastor Maldonado. The Venezuelan’s PDVSA sponsorship funds failed to materialise amid a drastic political reshuffle in the South American nation.
Magnussen who made a stellar debut to his Formula One career with McLaren in 2014, found himself acquiesced to the outer with the legendary Woking squad the following year, with an acrimonious email confirming the termination of his services on his 23rd birthday.
Despite the history-making maiden podium at the season opening Australian Grand Prix and ability to consistently challenge his veteran teammate Jenson Button, Magnussen was demoted to the role of reserve driver in 2015.
As the beleaguered team entered into its first campaign with Honda power, McLaren shareholders made it clear that they favoured the more experience and marketable driver in Button to partner returnee Fernando Alonso.
Following the belligerent departure, McLaren CEO Ron Dennis left many perplexed when he ignominiously stated that the young Dane “didn’t achieve those goals,” that were set by the team.
Furthermore, Magnussen’s case wasn’t aided during his opportunity to act as the injured Alonso’s substitute in Melbourne last year, with his grief stricken McLaren-Honda failing to even make the starting grid.
With a rare second life in Formula One being granted to the former McLaren protégée, the recently restituted Renault outfit will hold the onus upon he and his new teammate in 2014 GP2 champion Jolyon Palmer, to pave a new path of success for the French manufacturer.
Sayonara Pastor
Magnussen’s return to Formula One mark’s the Maldonado’s exodus, after five mostly underwhelming seasons.
In an announcement on social media, the 2010 GP2 champion confirmed the speculation surrounding his future.
“Today with the biggest humility I inform you that I won’t be on the grid at the start of the 2016 season. Thanks for all the messages of support, passion and concerns about my future.”
Still on a two-year contract with Lotus, Maldonado was confirmed to stay at Enstone after the Renault takeover, on the condition that his funding was secure. With PDVSA’s bankroll having dried up, it was sayonara to Formula One for Pastor.
Despite being an affable character off-track, it will be the Venezuelan’s erratic on-track antics that’ll evoke memories among fans and experts alike.
Having quickly earned the moniker ‘Crashtor’ for his many crashes, it mustn’t be forgotten that Maldonado is a deserved race winner.
That distinguished victory in 2012 at the Spanish Grand Prix, was the first for the Williams outfit in almost a decade.
Maldonado’s triumph was more than just a tyre anomaly as many suggest, rather pure class in not cracking under pressure (being mounted by Ferrari’s Alonso) as he’s proved plenty throughout his career.
The 30 year-old has made it clear though that he intends to return to the grid in 2017, but whether he’ll be wanted by any team remains to be seen.
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