The Dane parted ways with Renault after a single season, with managing director Cyril Abiteboul telling French media recently that he lacks discipline and commitment.

Sources at Renault and former team McLaren have questioned about his work ethic but when asked for his view, Magnussen said: "I've heard things before, but never from the team.

"Sometimes you're unlucky one guy says something to the press and that becomes the official opinion of the whole team.

"But it's just one guy, so I don't take that seriously."

Magnussen spent a year at McLaren in 2014 but lost the battle with Jenson Button to retain the seat alongside Fernando Alonso.

He spent 2015 as McLaren reserve and then joined Renault for last season as a late replacement for Pastor Maldonado, whose sponsorship didn't materialise.

The Dane stayed just one season before choosing to join Haas, with Renault selecting Jolyon Palmer to stay on alongside Nico Hulkenberg.

When asked why his stints at McLaren and Renault didn't work out, Magnussen said: "I've been unlucky. With Renault, it just didn't work out and we parted ways.

"I'm in a better place now so I'm looking forward.

"With McLaren, I wanted to continue with the team and the team wanted to continue with me but for political reasons at the top it didn't happen.

"That's a different situation to what happened here.

"It's more I wanted to join Haas and Haas wanted me - so it happened.

"I have nothing against [Renault or McLaren], this is Formula 1, it's a tough business, these things happen so no bad feelings at all."

Multi-year deal a motivation

Magnussen joined the American team on a multi-year deal and takes comfort from the belief owner Gene Haas and team principal Gunther Steiner have shown in him.

"It's a different feeling coming to a team that wants you and signed you because they think you can deliver something they want," he said.

"It's motivating, there's no secret it motivates you and I can't wait for the season to start.

"I had a long relationship with McLaren and McLaren also chose me very early.

"They showed great commitment as well.

"Last year with Renault, it was a very late deal and they lost a driver because he lost a sponsor so that was the way it worked there.

"This is a very different story, it's back to real racing again and the question is about performance rather than commercial stuff."