Danish F1 driver Kevin Magnussen eager to impress after being given a chance by Renault

When he was dumped by McLaren a few months ago, Kevin Magnussen feared his Formula One career might be over.

Now the Danish driver is more determined than ever to grab the lifeline handed by Renault as the French carmaker returns as a racing team.

“This is a massive opportunity, not many drivers get a second chance,” Magnussen said on Wednesday. “I’ve been given a very good chance as well, with a top team.”

It seems a fitting match: A hungry 23-year-old driver who showed great promise when he finished second in his first grand prix, and a carmaker bursting with ambition and high hopes of first rivalling, and eventually overtaking, Ferrari and Mercedes.

Last year was very testing for Magnussen.

He raced in the season-opening Australian GP for McLaren only because Fernando Alonso was recovering from a head injury in preseason testing, but failed to start due to engine trouble. He then watched for the rest of the season as Alonso and Jenson Button struggled to get to grips with McLaren’s new Honda engine.

READ MORE: Fascinating 2016 season is in store for Formula One fans

Autumn and winter became increasingly bleak months for Magnussen after McLaren told him in October that he would be released, and that it would instead stick with Button for 2016.