Kevin Magnussen ended his Renault Sport Formula 1 Team career with an early retirement in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after being hit from behind on the opening lap that ended with a broken suspension on his RS16.
The Dane completed only five laps of the Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday after his first lap pit stop was unable to fix the problem, and admitted it was not the way he wanted to end his season.
Magnussen thanked the team for resurrecting his career after a year on the sidelines as the McLaren Honda Formula 1 Team reserve driver, with the Dane heading to the Haas F1 Team in 2017.
“I made a poor start then was in a fight with [Daniil] Kvyat at turn eight when I had contact from another car – I think it was a Manor or a Sauber – and my suspension was damaged by this,” said Magnussen. “We tried to continue but it was clear that something was broken.
“It wasn’t the way I wanted to end what I thought was a good season with a great bunch of people. Results-wise it hasn’t been the best but I’ve learned a lot, I’ve had a great time with the team and I got to know a lot of really good people.
“I wish Renault Sport all the best in the future and I’m sure we’ll all still have fun in the paddock.”
