Magnussen feeling uneasy about McLaren future - MotorSportsTalk

Kevin Magnussen has admitted that he feels uneasy not knowing whether or not he has a future with McLaren in Formula 1.

The Danish driver made his debut at the beginning of the season, finishing second in his first race in Australia. However, since then, he has failed to finish any higher than seventh, and has struggled to get to grips with the MP4-29 car.

However, Magnussen is confident that the team can turn its fortunes around in 2014, and spoke to NBCSN’s Will Buxton about the team’s efforts on Thursday at Monza.

“Of course we want to speed things up but everyone is doing their best at McLaren,” he said. “We can still do better and we can still push harder. Every day we’ve just got to try and do that and improve things.

“In the end, we will get there. It’s frustrating at the moment, but if we give up, we’re not gonna get there.”

McLaren is currently going through a period of change ahead of Honda’s return as an engine supplier in 2015. Former team principal Martin Whitmarsh has left the team, allowing Ron Dennis to return to the helm as CEO. Eric Boullier has also been drafted in from Lotus for this year’s campaign.

The team is known to be chasing a big name to herald Honda’s return, with Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel both on its shortlist. This has cast doubt on the futures of both Magnussen and teammate Jenson Button, and the Dane admitted that he felt uncomfortable not knowing what his future would hold.

“It’s just not very nice not to know if you’re there next year or not,” Magnussen said. “But all I can do at the moment is do my best for the team.

“I do trust the team a lot, and I have big faith and belief in the team that they will get back on the top again. I want to be part of that.

“All I can do is just do my best and hopefully that’s good enough that they want to stay with me.”

In Belgium, Boullier confirmed that the team would not be waiting until the end of the season to make a decision about its driver line-up for the 2015 season.

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The IndyCar Series has re-signed NTT as its title sponsor in a multiyear agreement starting in 2024.

NTT, a global information technology and communications company based in Japan, became the series’ title sponsor before the 2019 season after starting as a sponsor of the No. 10 Dallara-Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.

NTT Data (a subsidiary of parent company Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp.) will remain the official technology partner of IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Brickyard weekend.

With the extension, an IndyCar spokesman said NTT would become the second-longest title sponsor in series history. The longest title sponsor was PPG from 1980-97 (under the CART sanction of the Champ Car Series).

NTT replaced Verizon, which was IndyCar’s title sponsor from 2014-18 after IZOD from 2010-13.

“NTT is an excellent partner across our enterprise with strong expertise and a deep commitment to our sport,” Penske Corp. chairman and IndyCar owner Roger Penske said in a release. “From Smart Venue technology at the Racing Capital of the World to the reimagined Series mobile application, NTT is transforming the fan experience in new and innovative ways. We look forward to a bright future together.”

NTT has used artificial intelligence-enabled optical detection technology at IMS to provide information to the track’s operations and security teams, helping improve fan traffic flow and safety, the track said.

“IndyCar is a great partner for NTT Data because of our shared commitment to driving innovation, increasing sustainability and delivering amazing experiences,” NTT Data CEO Kaz Nishihata said in a release. “We also appreciate how IndyCar is so diverse, with drivers from 15 different countries, and races that range from short ovals and superspeedways to road and street courses. It’s both an incredible sport and a wonderful example for our world.”

NTT also has been instrumental in helping redesign the IndyCar app and providing more race and driver data for use in NBC Sports’ broadcasts by utilizing 140 data points from every car in the field.

“NTT is fully invested in the development and growth of our sport and has already established a terrific track record in our industry with problem-solving capabilities and access to top talent and tools,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said.

Said NTT Data Services CEO Bob Pryor: “We’re thrilled to continue our collaborations that enhance and expand the fan experience for motorsports and serve as proof points for data analytics, AI, and other innovative digital technologies. For more than a century, this racing series has pioneered innovations making driving safer for everyone, and by continuing this relationship, we will accelerate the pace of innovations and new technologies, particularly related to sustainability that ultimately can benefit organizations, communities and individuals around the world.”

Starting as a Japanese telephone company, NTT grew into a $100 billion-plus tech services giant with U.S. operations based in Plano, Texas.