Opening World Series by Renault event kicks off at MonzaMilan, Italy, Thursday, April 4, 2013: Danish Formula Renault 3.5 star and McLaren Young Driver Development Program member Kevin Magnussen is set to kick off his 2013 World Series by Renault assault at Monza this weekend with his new team DAMS.A rookie winner in Formula Renault 3.5 last year at Spa-Francorchamps, Magnussen has his sights set on a more consistent 2013 season.[http://gallery.mailchimp.com/da23bff57d807bbf76da2db4f/images/YMIV35405120a5.jpg]After finishing second in his series race debut in the opening event last season at Motorland Aragon, Magnussen suffered a pair of DNFs in the next two races which put him in catch-up mode for the remainder of the season before finishing seventh in the championship points.A race win and a pair of pole positions at Spa-Francorchamps were the season highlights. Magnussen also looked set for a second victory at the Hungaroring before suffering a gearbox failure late in the race.Testing for Magnussen and his vastly experienced French team DAMS has been very strong in 2013.In the recent two-day test at the Circuit de Catalunya, Magnussen was second fastest on both days.The Dane was eighth fastest today in testing at Monzaan extra session established by series organisers after a recent test at Aragon was cancelled due to snow.Saturday and Sundays races at Monza can be seen live on Eurosport.

Kevin Magnussen Q&AQ: What are some of the biggest lessons you learned from last year that you are hoping to improve on this year?A: Everything. You have to improve in all areas. I think the biggest lesson last year was to take less risks during the race.At the start of the season last year, I had a few incidents in the first corner. So Im definitely going to try and eliminate the risks and just try and work on the experience with the car that I gained.Its a new team, so everything is a bit new. But Im very excited for the season.[http://gallery.mailchimp.com/da23bff57d807bbf76da2db4f/images/YMIV4902290eac.JPG]Q: How have you found working for the DAMS team so far?A: Theres not a big difference in terms of setup. Theres not that much you can do on the cars. For sure theres differences but theyre not massive.Its still a World Series by Renault car. Its not like Formula One, where if you change teams, it would be a completely different car. In the World Series, if you change teams, the biggest difference is the way they work with you.Im very happy with the way theyre working, but also I feel that the information theyre giving me is very useful.Q: How has pre-season testing gone for you?A: We were doing a lot of work on the setup at the first test. We had a few issues with the car. As soon as we sorted that out, we were looking pretty good in Barcelona.I know that well be fast with the car. I think the key for this season will be to be consistent.Sure, we can be fast, without a doubt, but it will be about being fast every time.Q: Have you done many laps at Monza before?A: Ive done only one race weekend before here but I feel really good about the track. I really like the circuit; it has a lot of history and its special to me because of that. Monza is a cool old-school circuit.Im not a big fan of the new, fancy tracks with large runoffs. I enjoy coming to the older tracks, like Monza and Zandvoort. These are proper race circuits. Im sure Id enjoy a place like Suzuka as well once I get the opportunity to go there.The old tracks have something special. Its a bit more risk, with not too much runoff. Instead of runoff, its gravel, so its a bit more tricky.Q: Who do you think is going to be your toughest rival in World Series by Renault?A: Its really hard to pin it down to one driver who is going to be the main competition. But I think for sure amongst the teams, Arden is going to be strong and Fortec will be as well, Sometimes, Lotus will be strong as well, and also P1.Well focus on ourselves and try to do the best we can and see where it takes us.

MONZA SCHEDULEFormula Renault 3.5 SeriesSaturday, April 609:00 - 09:30: Formula Renault 3.5 Series Qualifying13:00: Formula Renault 3.5 Series Race 1 (44 mins +1 lap)Sunday, April 709:00 - 09:30: Formula Renault 3.5 Series Qualifying13:05: Formula Renault 3.5 Series Race 2 (44 mins +1 lap)

FORMULA RENAULT 3.5 CALENDAR7 April Monza, Italy28 April Aragon, Spain26 May Monaco, Monte Carlo2 June Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium23 June Moscow Raceway, Russia21 July Red Bull Ring, Austria15 Sep Hungaroring, Hungary29 Sep Paul Ricard, France20 Oct Barcelona, Spain