“It is not like that”: Kevin Magnussen not entirely happy with the trajectory of his F1 career
Haas F1 driver Kevin Magnussen claimed that he wasn't entirely happy with the trajectory of his career in the sport as he envisioned himself winning races and world championships. The Danish driver made his debut with McLaren in 2014 and instantly made an impact as he finished P2 in his debut race in Australia.
However, that result was the highlight of his career so far, as the Dane could not build on the momentum and was eventually ousted by the Woking-based team at the end of the 2014 season. Magnussen then joined Renault in 2016 after a year away. The following year, he joined Haas, replacing Esteban Guttierez, and stayed with them until 2020.
He once again had another year on the sideline in 2021 before marking an incredible comeback in 2022 with the American team, scoring P5 in Bahrain. However, his time with the team will come to an end after Haas decided against renewing his contract beyond 2024.
While speaking with "RacingNews365" recently, Kevin Magnussen spoke about his F1 career and the expectations he had as a kid and said:
"I don't know, I mean getting to Formula 1 in itself is pretty tough and a hard thing to do] As a kid, I was dreaming about winning championships and races and setting pole positions, but there has not been a lot of that. There's been a pole position, there's been a podium, but that wasn't my ambition."
"So although I am happy with the progress I have made from when I started racing to now and having done 10 years of Formula 1, that is not nothing, but I am also kind of ruthless about it. Winning is the goal, there is no hiding away, so why should I sit here and say: 'Oh no, I am happy with what I achieved.' It is not like that, it is not true," he added.
Kevin Magnussen reflects on opportunities beyond F1
Haas F1 driver Kevin Magnussen said that he has always believed that life outside the pinnacle of motorsport was going to be 'awesome'.
Speaking to "Motorsport" in May this year, the 31-year-old talked about potentially racing in other categories and said:
“F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport. But I've always been of the opinion that racing outside of Formula 1 is also awesome. In 2021 I was out of F1, but I was racing in IMSA. It's actually quite a busy schedule. You're going to America 11 or 12 times during the year, and it wasn't like a quiet year."
With seats at Alpine and Audi still open, Kevin Magnussen's options haven't died down completely, but the Dane doesn't appear to be a prime target for the aforementioned teams for the upcoming season.
Magnussen is currently P16 in the driver's championship with five points in 14 races and three Sprints thus far. He has scored points in only two races, a P10 in Australia earlier in the season and a P8 at Silverstone, helping Nico Hulkenberg in his quest to get P6 for the team.