Jenson Button has laid huge praise on Kevin Magnussen after the news the Dane would be leaving the McLaren-Honda team at the conclusion of the season.
Magnussen was Button’s team-mate for McLaren in 2014 before the Dane stepped aside to allow Fernando Alonso to return to the team, with Magnussen assuming the role of third and reserve driver for 2015.
Button feels Magnussen is ‘the best driver available’ for the remaining seats in Formula 1, and recommends the Dane, who secured a podium finish on his debut in Australia in 2014, to any team on the grid.
“The Kevin I saw at the start of 2014 was a very different guy from the one I saw towards the end of our campaign together,” said Button to Danish newspaper BT.
“He learned so much over the 12 months we spent working together, and he often pushed me to my limits, and even over my limits on many occasions.
“I don’t know whether or not he’s got a chance of bagging any of the remaining vacant Formula 1 seats, but he’s clearly the best driver available, and I’d therefore very much recommend him to any team that has a vacancy.
“He’s good enough not only to race in Formula 1, but also to help a team succeed in Formula 1.”
