“If Williams wanted anything, it should have been out with the Canadian.”

The 29-year-old added: “Then they would have George Russell and Kevin Magnussen, a strong line-up in my eyes.”

Williams reportedly wanted money for the race seat, either through sponsorship or Magnussen paying a ‘proper’ amount himself.

He wasn’t interested and the driver walked away from Formula 1, instead trying out endurance racing.

“I had ended up in a bit of a stalemate in Formula 1,” Magnussen continued.

“But I actually had an opportunity to stay because I was in contact with Williams.