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Kevin Magnussen is reportedly in talks with Renault about replacing Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado in 2016. Having taken over Lotus, there has been speculation the French carmaker might be re-thinking the Enstone team's contracts with Maldonado and Jolyon Palmer.
But it was British rookie Palmer who was believed to be most in danger, as Maldonado is backed by a reported $50 million a year in the form of controversial sponsorship by the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA. PDVSA, however, is embroiled in a corruption scandal, and Britain's Telegraph newspaper confirms that the "political uncertainty in Venezuela" has put a question-mark over Maldonado's race seat.
At the same time, correspondent Daniel Johnson said it is the job-seeking former McLaren reserve Magnussen who is suddenly "in talks with the new-look Renault team". Citing sources, the newspaper added: "Magnussen was in the team's Enstone factory (for) two days last week for talks with senior executives". But the more likely role for 23-year-old Magnussen, who has recently tested Le Mans and DTM cars, is the Renault reserve role, the report continued.
Renault did not comment. (GMM)
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Login to replykhasmir
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Renault had already confirmed that they would honor the existing driver contracts, at least for this year. Pretty sure Magnussen is talking to Renault for the position of reserve driver.