Kevin Magnussen is a peaceful man. The Dane may have experienced his 185th and last Formula 1 Grand Prix on December 8, in Abu Dhabi, but it is with philosophy and lightness that the 32-year-old driver closes this important chapter in his life. Not renewed by Haas for 2025, replaced by Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman next year, the Scandinavian leaves the discipline without feeling of resentment, he is preparing to lead a new, much calmer life with his family.
“The idea of this ending is bittersweet: it’s sweet in the sense that there will be more time for other things. I am a family man and this lifestyle has an impact on you. It's a cost to your family, so it's something I look forward to, he confided in Qatar to the New York Times. Before having children, Formula 1 was everything to me. My career was everything, it was the most important thing in my life. And now, that’s no longer the case, far from it. Fatherhood changes something. I will have much more time to devote to my family and my role as a father, which I love very much. »
Magnussen « really benefited » of his F1 career
If the Dane is so calm about this departure, it is also because he is aware of having had an incredible second chance in Formula 1 which has relaunched his career. At the end of 2020, at only 28 years old, Kevin Magnussen no longer had the confidence of Haas and found himself on the sidelines, doing some experiments in Endurance in particular. A departure which left him with a taste of bitterness… before an improbable return in 2022, when the American team had to do without Nikita Mazepin following the Russian invasion in Ukraine. A successful return, including a surprise pole position acquired in Brazil that year.
In the meantime, Kevin Magnussen had become a father with the birth of Laura, in 2021, then of Agnes in 2023. A fatherhood which, as the Scandinavian specifies, changed the vision of his career, which became secondary to his role as a father . If the ex-Haas driver does not rule out a return to Formula 1 if a team were to call him, he is at peace with the idea of no longer competing in any Grand Prix. “I had a good time. If I ever came back, it would be a lot of fun, and if I don't, that would be great too. It's a privilege to have been here, to have had a career. I really benefited from it. » Kevin Magnussen, however, ruled out the idea of being a reserve driver at Haas.
Next year, a new challenge will present itself to him with BMW: Endurance in the premier category of the WEC, Hypercar. A return to his roots for Kevin Magnussen, following in the footsteps of his father Jan Magnussen. “I am happy to come back to Endurance. This is what I grew up with, my father having competed in Endurance races for as long as I can remember, declares the Dane. I have experienced the circuits and great races in this environment. In a way, I feel like I'm coming home. (…) I have always been passionate about all kinds of car racing. The deal with BMW allows me to explore and try to win some of these big, iconic Endurance races. » An adventure which will start in January 2025 with the 24 Hours of Daytona, as preparation for the World Endurance Championship on the German LMDh.
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