Kevin Magnussen has already made two comebacks in F1, but barring any huge surprises, there won't be a third for him. The former McLaren F1, Renault and Haas F1 driver will indeed bounce back with BMW in the world endurance championship and IMSA. To aim for future victories at Daytona, Sebring or Le Mans.
In 2026, the Dane may have an opportunity to return to F1 with the arrival of an 11th team, Cadillac… but he suspects that other drivers could be a priority, such as Colton Herta.
“With the upcoming arrival of Cadillac in F1, a return is not completely unimaginable, but for now, I have signed a contract with BMW to race in the World Endurance Championship and IMSA” he admits today.
“I tell myself this could be the end. This is the third time I have experienced this here in Abu Dhabi. In 2014, it was depressing. In 2020, I was optimistic for what came next. Today I don't really feel sad.”
“I don’t know if I will return to F1, but I will always stay connected to motorsport. I am grateful for everything this discipline has given me. »
Perhaps unfairly, Kevin Magnussen will have a reputation as an overly aggressive driver. In 2018, he notably stated that he was ready to “die in the car. »
Does he regret these words today?
“I just wanted to express my total commitment. I should have realized that this would be taken out of context. I don't want to die in a car, but I'm ready to give everything for success. »
“It’s not a question of fear. It's a feeling of responsibility. This probably comes from being a parent now. »
Kevin Magnussen scored a first podium at his first Grand Prix with McLaren F1, in Australia in 2014… But since then, apart from a pole in Brazil, almost nothing. In 185 Grands Prix, Jan's son did not lead a single lap (historic record).
So does Kevin Magnussen really have a sense of duty accomplished by leaving the sport?
“I feel very lucky. I didn't achieve my goal of becoming world champion, but I had an incredible career. F1 is not a fair sport, but it has given me a lot. »
“F1 wasn't always what I imagined as a child. I dreamed of a magical world. But it has been very rewarding, despite the days when it felt more like work. »
“Ultimately, after ten years, it became a job. There are days when you don't feel like it… you just have to get by, and it's boring… I never imagined it would be like this. »
“I feel very lucky. If I think about this whole journey, I feel like I won the lottery, even though I haven't achieved my goals yet. I dreamed of being Formula 1 world champion. I didn't achieve it. So I'm open about it and it doesn't bother me. I've accepted it – I look at what I got, rather than what I didn't get. »
“In that sense it's almost unfair, but in the other sense…I've benefited so much from it that I almost feel like I don't deserve it. I just drove a car and did what I had to do for me. »
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