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Jolyon Palmer has said that he thinks Kevin Magnussen has "made a mistake" by leaving Renault for Haas in 2017.
The Dane rejected an extended deal with the French manufacturer in favour of a move to the American team, a move that has shocked former GP2 champion Palmer.
"I'm surprised," Briton Palmer, who has signed the one-year Renault deal instead, is quoted by Denmark's Ekstra Bladet newspaper.
"I think he has made a mistake. We're a factory team and we'll be in front of Haas next year.
"It's like if you get an offer to go to Red Bull for a year -- it's better than two years with Toro Rosso," the Briton added.
Magnussen meanwhile hinted that Renault only kept Palmer because he chose to leave.
"I think he should be happy that I left," the former McLaren man quipped.
Magnussen also rejected the Brit's claim that Renault was a better option.
"I don't think they (Haas) were alone this year in having ups and downs," he said. "That's not really a problem.
"Or, if it's a problem, it's a problem that many people had," said Magnussen.
Magnussen's former-F1 driver father, Jan Magnussen, who now races for Corvette Racing in America, was delighted to see his son secure a long-term future.
"The agreement has a length where he can think more long-term for the development of the team, the car and himself," said the former McLaren and Stewart driver.
"I can't really answer for Kevin, but the American spirit meant a lot to me. I came to America after Formula One and the spirit really lifted me up again. The Americans are better at that than the Europeans," Magnussen Sr. told BT newspaper.
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Replies (2)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Im not sure, Haas looks set to stay, and is pretty competitive apart from their brake issues and poor build quality.
Jutlandia
Posts: 191
Agree!
And Renault has been a mess in the administration part, no one knowing who's taking the responsibility.
I think Jolyon is trying to cover his @ss, not to look stupid in this matter.
If Kevin had said yes to the offer, Jolyon would be out of his seat.