Magnussen distances himself from Haas Schumacher rumours

Kevin Magnussen has distanced himself from the rumours surrounding Mick Schumacher's future at Haas but has backed his current team-mate's performances.

Schumacher is expected to leave the team at the end of the season, with Daniel Ricciardo, Antonio Giovinazzi and Nico Hulkenberg all in the frame to partner Magnussen for next season.

The German was put under pressure after stretching his scoreless streak in F1 through to the middle of this year before finally securing points with two impressive drivers in the British and Austrian Grands Prix.

Schumacher has impressed up against Magnussen, finishing ahead in 10 races to the Dane's four this year, yet still finds himself at risk of being without a drive for next season.

When asked what the team needed in its second driver, Magnussen backed the current state of affairs.

"Pretty obvious," said Magnussen. "Of course, we need fast drivers and drivers that are consistent, can score points, can help drive the team forward.

"Right now we have me and Mick and it's not going too badly, so I don't really have any strong opinions either way.

"It's up to Guenther [Steiner] and, of course, the management to sort that one out.

"I'm not here to speculate or be involved in that."

On whether more experience was needed alongside him in the team, Magnussen, a shock returnee at the beginning of the season, added: "Again, I'm not here to really take part in that, I don't really have an opinion on that.

"I think Mick is doing a good job and that's all I can say."

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