Renault team boss Frederic Vasseur has slammed suggestions that he is not fully behind 2016 recruit Kevin Magnussen.
Particularly in the Danish media, much has been made of Vasseur's recent suggestion that his first choice to replace Pastor Maldonado this year was actually ART protege Stoffel Vandoorne.
"Complete bullshit," the Frenchman told Denmark's BT newspaper. "I don't understand why it's such a big story in Denmark.
"A Belgian journalist asked me if I was interested in Vandoorne, and I replied 'Of course yes, but he has a contract with McLaren'. It's my job to be interested in all good drivers, but that does not mean that I can hire them all.
"I am very happy with the two drivers I have. Kevin and Jolyon Palmer is a great combination. I've known Kevin for many years. He did not race for me in the junior classes, but he was a tough competitor and always at the top. He had a bad experience in 2015 that made him extra motivated for this season, so for me, Kevin was the perfect candidate for our vacant seat."
However, even though fully backed by his team, it seems that Magnussen has only a one-year deal.
"Even though it is a long-term project, everyone in the team is concentrating on 2016. It is too early to think about 2017," said Vasseur.
Magnussen joins Renault after being released from McLaren last year.
