Haas driver Kevin Magnussen says he can “not worry about anything” during the second half of the season, with his 2018 Formula 1 plans already settled.
Gene Haas duly confirmed last month that Magnussen, and current team-mate Romain Grosjean, will continue to form the outfit’s driver line-up next season.
Magnussen spent the latter stages of 2014 facing an uncertain future with McLaren, before he was ultimately dropped from its race team, left without a seat for 2015.
Magnussen returned full-time with Renault last year but found himself in a similar predicament, with the manufacturer unwilling to rush into a decision on 2017, leading the Dane to sign for Haas.
Magnussen believes that the absence of off-track distractions can aid his performances across the remainder of the current campaign.
“I knew, when I signed the contract, there were two years, so it’s not news for me but it’s good of Gene to tell everyone and make it [official],” Magnussen explained.
"Now we will have the questions [over the future of drivers] so hopefully no more of those kinds of questions for the rest of the season.
“It’s nice to be in that situation because for the last two seasons I’ve done in Formula 1 it’s been always frustrating to talk about contracts every race in the last part of the season.
“Now, it’s clear what the plan is so we can focus on racing and just push freely and not worry about anything – just go racing as hard as I can.”
Magnussen’s comments were echoed by team boss Guenther Steiner.
“It's good for the drivers to know going forward that they are in a team,” he said.
"They don't have to start looking around for a seat and it gives them confidence, they can focus on racing, not getting the next contract. I think we're in a good place.”
Magnussen holds 14th position in the championship, having taken 11 points this season.
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