McLaren test driver Kevin Magnussen has insisted that GP2 championship leader Stoffel Vandoorne deserves to become a Formula 1 driver in the near future.
Vandoorne also has ties to McLaren and is expected to compete with the Dane for a place on the grid in 2017, when Jenson Button's contract comes to an end.
Magnussen is not competing in any series this season, and accepts that Vandoorne has the upper hand.
He told reporters: "He deserves to get to F1, there's something wrong if he doesn't get to F1. But I guess everyone is a threat when you are competing for an F1 seat. What can you do about it?
"I've just got to focus on myself and not really worry about anyone else because I can't do anything about them. I'm not racing, so I can't beat them on track. I've got to rely on my experience, I've done well in F1, I've been on the podium.
"McLaren believes in me, they know what I can do and what my potential is. The right thing to do is to stay with McLaren and be part of this team's future, which I believe is going to be big."
Magnussen drove for the team in 2014.
Charlie Bennett
