LONDON — McLaren is set to replace Mexican Sergio Perez with Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen for next season, media reports said Monday. Sources close to the Formula One team indicated the reports were accurate. A McLaren spokesman said no deal had been signed with any driver for 2014, other than 2009 world champion Jenson Button. Magnussen, 21, is the son of former McLaren and Stewart Grand Prix driver Jan Magnussen and won the Formula Renault 3.5 series this year. The BBC and autosport.com websites both reported McLaren had decided to give Magnussen the drive. Team principal Martin Whitmarsh earlier told reporters that talks were still ongoing for the second seat at the former championship-winning team. “There has been a lot of honest feedback both ways, which is best done in private not in public. We'll see in the future,” he said ahead of this weekend's US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. If Magnussen is confirmed in the seat, he will be McLaren's first rookie driver since Britain's Lewis Hamilton made a sensational debut in 2007. He won the title the following season. Last month Whitmarsh described Magnussen, who is a McLaren development driver, as “pretty special” and “lightning quick.” Perez joined McLaren from Sauber at the end of last season after Hamilton left for Mercedes and has struggled with an uncompetitive car. The 23-year-old Mexican has scored 35 points to Button's 60 in 17 races. Kvyat obtains F1 super license Russian teenager Daniil Kvyat will drive for Toro Rosso in first free practice at this week's US Grand Prix in Austin after obtaining his super license, the Formula One team said Monday. Toro Rosso said the 19-year-old GP3 champion, who will race for the team next year, drove a 2011 car for 102 laps - equivalent to 402km - at the Misano Circuit in Italy last Friday as part of a filming day. “Therefore, as planned, Kvyat will be joining the team in Austin and Sao Paolo where he will drive in the first free practice session on both Fridays,” the team said. — Agencies
