Kevin Magnussen will feel “at home” in endurance

After ten years of Formula 1 – and a break in the IMSA championship in 2021 – Kevin Magnussen is entering a new chapter in his career. At 32, the former Haas driver joined the ranks of BMW, with whom he will compete in the WEC championship (and the 24 Hours of Le Mans) at the wheel of one of the Bavarian manufacturer's two BMW M Hybrid V8 Hypercars. A transition that he approached with enthusiasm, and which he quickly preferred to a role of reserve driver in F1 which was open at Haas.

“I never wanted to be a reserve pilot,” Magnussen said. “I spoke to Ayao [Komatsu, le directeur de l’écurie Haas]and we agreed on this. Of course he has my number, so he can always call me, but I'm not going to be a reserve driver per se, sitting at every race waiting for someone to break their leg is not what I want to do, I don't need to do that. I have always been passionate about all kinds of motor racing and the deal with BMW allows me to explore and try to win some of these great classic endurance races. “

Kevin Magnussen believes that the transition to endurance will be all the more natural since in his eyes it is a discipline which has always been familiar to him, his father Jan Magnussen – also a former F1 driver – having long been defended the colors of Corvette Racing whether in the world championship, in La Sarthe or in IMSA. The two men were also teammates during the 2021 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, during a 100% Danish program led by the High Class Racing team.

“I’m happy to come back to endurance racing,” continues the Scandinavian pilot. “It's a bit like I grew up in this environment. For as long as I can remember, my father has always participated in endurance races. I knew the circuits, the big races, and “In a way, it's like coming home.”

Vincent Vosse, whose Team WRT manages BMW's WEC entry, was one of the main architects of Kevin Magnussen's arrival in endurance within the fold of the propeller brand, and the latter is delighted to find the Belgian leader, with whom he has maintained a special relationship since a significant episode in his existence.

Once, [Vincent Vosse] saved my life at the age of two in the swimming pool at his house in Spa, because I had jumped into the water and didn't know how to swim.

“I spoke to Vincent Vosse. […] I've known him since I was little.” says Kevin Magnussen. “He once saved my life at the age of two in the swimming pool at his house in Spa, because I had jumped in the water and didn't know how to swim. He was in a costume for a gala he was going to and he jumped in the pool, which ruined his day. I hope I can make up for it now. I've always known him.

Magnussen, who does not rule out occasionally taking part in iconic GT events like the Nürburgring or Bathurst – Team WRT is also involved in this category – will compete in his first race with BMW this January at the occasion of the 24 Hours of Daytona, where he will support the starting drivers for the opening of the IMSA championship. He will also be used as reinforcement for the two other long races of the American series, at Sebring and Road Atlanta (for the Petit Le Mans race).

However, Magnussen does not close the door to a possible return to the wheel of Haas on an occasional basis, if the American structure were to call on him for private tests. “We’re pretty relaxed about it.”he concludes. “We agreed that we have to try to do something and we are going to do it.”

Comments collected by Jonathan Noble