Why a smile is back on Kevin Magnussen's face after F1 exit

Magnussen in Detroit — Photo: © LAT Images

Why a smile is back on Magnussen's face after F1 exit

Magnussen made 119 race starts in Formula 1

Sam Hall

Tuesday 15 June 2021 13:49

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Kevin Magnussen has revealed his switch to the IMSA SportsCar Championship has become "more enjoyable" than his last few years in F1.

Magnussen made 119 F1 starts for McLaren, Renault and Haas between 2014 and 2020 but managed just one podium when finishing second in what was his first race in the sport.

Despite a positive start to his time with Haas when Magnussen signed up in 2017, in particular the Dane finishing ninth in the drivers' standings in 2018, the final two years were painful for all concerned with the team.

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After being ousted at the end of last season as Haas favoured an all-rookie line-up of Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin going forward, Magnussen has found solace with the IMSA series in which he claimed his first win on Saturday.

"Formula 1 is great," said Magnussen, speaking to Autoweek. "It's fun to drive the cars but at the end of the day, you want to do well at whatever you do.

"It doesn't matter if it's Formula 1 or rental go-karts. You want to win. That's what it's all about.

"Coming here, I knew when I signed up with Chip Ganassi I'd have a chance at winning races [and] It's been more enjoyable than anything I've done for the last few years."

Grosjean a "great talent"

During his time at Haas Magnussen raced alongside Romain Grosjean, who is also showcasing his ability in IndyCar in which he notably finished second in a race in Indianapolis in early May.

"I always knew he's a great talent," enthused Magnussen about the Frenchman. "It's good to see he is showing that in IndyCar."

Underlining again that simply being in F1 is not the be all and end all for a driver, Magnussen added: "I feel very privileged and blessed to have been able to be in F1 and have a career in Formula 1.

"But as I've said before, If you know you're not in the hunt for wins or even the podiums, at the end of the day it doesn't matter what it is.

"I've just missed going racing with the aim of winning. This year, the feeling I have going to races reminds me a little of how it was before Formula 1.

"I've kind of missed that feeling."