McLaren Group CEO Ron Dennis hints he is likely to place Kevin Magnussen in another team next season to continue his development.

– F1i: Felipe Nasr counting on strong straight-line speed in Canada
– F1i: Alonso urges McLaren to focus on reliability
– F1i: Force India’s Niko Hulkenberg eyes points return in Montreal

Magnussen was relegated from race driver at the end of 2014 to the role of test and reserve driver at McLaren this season. With Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso both on multi-year deals, Magnussen acknowledges he may have to race elsewhere next year and Dennis admits it is a likely scenario for 2016.

“I think Kevin has the ability to race next year,” Dennis told Ekstra Bladet when asked about the possibility of Magnussen regaining his McLaren seat. “At the same time, he also knows that we live in the real world.

“I have two world champions who are among the very best. So he has to prove himself. Perhaps that means I have to help him into another team for another learning year.”

And speaking in Copenhagen last week, Dennis urged Denmark to get behind Magnussen to give him the best opportunity to secure a race seat.

“When teams are choosing between these young drivers, unfortunately it’s not only about their talent. It’s also about the support they have from companies or countries.

“Kevin will succeed with or without your help, but it’s just a much bigger challenge for him when his opponents are young people from countries with huge support.”