It’s doubtless that Kevin Magnussen will bid farewell to Method 1 on the finish of this season, however the Dane has no regrets about returning to Haas in 2022 regardless of the challenges he’s endured over the previous two seasons.
After being dropped by the US outfit, together with teammate Romain Grosjean, on the finish of the 2020 F1 season, Magnussen launched into a brand new chapter in his profession, which included a transfer to IMSA with Chip Ganassi Racing.
However destiny had different plans. The geopolitical fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine led Haas to half methods with Nikita Mazepin simply earlier than the beginning of the 2022 F1 season.
Workforce principal Günther Steiner made a last-minute name to Magnussen, providing him an opportunity to return to F1 alongside Mick Schumacher. The choice to return was not taken calmly, however Magnussen embraced the chance with enthusiasm.
The 31-year-old kicked off his second stint with Haas with a promising fifth-place end on the season opener in Bahrain. Nevertheless, save for a shock pole place for the Dash Race in Brazil, that was nearly as good because it obtained for Magnussen.
Since, the Dane has solely scored 5 top-ten finishes, his outcomes evidently reflecting the struggles of his group. But, Magnussen expresses nothing however positivity concerning the expertise and harbors no regrets.
“No, no, no, truthfully, I don’t… I don’t remorse it,” he stated, chatting with Autosport. “It’s been enjoyable and it’s enjoyable making an attempt one thing so sudden.
“It was a wild journey, as a result of I actually closed that chapter, utterly, mentally closed it, had a child and utterly began that subsequent part of my life with my spouse and my household.
“Then – increase – again once more, and that… this entire expertise has been actually thrilling for me and my household.”
Regardless of the difficulties, Magnussen insists he was totally conscious of what he was entering into when he made his return.
“That’s to be anticipated whenever you step into Method 1,” he stated. “I used to be already an skilled Method 1 driver once I got here again, I knew what I used to be going again to.”
Magnussen’s real looking method to his comeback helped him handle his expectations and navigate the ups and downs of the season.
“Nothing was actually a shock, so I knew,” he defined.
“I knew there can be bumps and, I additionally knew it wasn’t going to be simply clean crusing and I knew there can be a honeymoon part after which it might form of, you already know… all this I had, I had all of it form of thought via. It’s all a part of it.”
With the announcement that Esteban Ocon will change him at Haas subsequent 12 months, and with Oliver Bearman set to affix the group as Nico Hulkenberg departs for Sauber, Magnussen’s trails in F1 seems to have reached their finish.
With restricted choices to stay on the grid, the Dane is prone to discover different racing classes within the close to future.
“I believe every part is on the desk in that case,” he stated at Spa, earlier than F1’s summer season break. “So I am going to see what’s out there on the market and make my thoughts once I get there.
“Proper now, I am in Method 1 and there is nonetheless a few seats open for subsequent 12 months that I might wish to see the place all that finally ends up, after which have a look at issues afterwards.”
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