Kevin Magnussen brought his Formula 1 career to a close last weekend in Abu Dhabi, ending a decade-long journey filled with challenges, flashes of brilliance, and an enduring passion for the sport.
While the Danish driver fell short of achieving his ultimate dream of becoming a world champion, he reflected on the “privilege” of competing in motorsport’s pinnacle category as he prepared for the next chapter of his career.
Magnussen’s final race started on a high note, with the Haas driver surging from 14th on the grid to seventh in a stunning opening lap at the Yas Marina Circuit.
However, a slow pit stop on Lap 12 and a later collision with Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas derailed his hopes of finishing in the points.
Despite crossing the line in 16th as the last classified finisher, Magnussen found a moment of joy, setting the fastest lap of the race on fresh soft tyres.
“I think they just wanted to let me feel the car one last time on low fuel and new tyres,” Magnussen said, describing his final laps.
“Formula 1 cars in these conditions, low fuel and new tyres – it’s phenomenal. Since we were out of the race anyway, I guess they just wanted to give me that little bit of fun at the end, and I enjoyed that.”
Magnussen announced before the Abu Dhabi weekend that he would be joining BMW’s LMDh sportscar programme as a works driver in 2025, stepping away from the Formula 1 grid after stints with McLaren, Renault, and Haas.
Reflecting on his career, he spoke candidly about both his unfulfilled ambitions and the pride he takes in his accomplishments.
“At the end of the day, you’ve got to look at it from a broader view and say okay, I wanted to win, I wanted to be champion,” he explained.
“I didn’t manage that but on the other side, I was a small kid dreaming of Formula 1 25 years ago, and I managed to get 10 years in the sport that I desperately dreamt of competing in. That’s been a real privilege.”
Magnussen’s Formula 1 journey was marked by determination and resilience, from his debut podium with McLaren in 2014 to his return to Haas in 2022 after a brief absence from the grid.
Though he leaves the sport without the accolades he once dreamed of, the 32-year-old’s legacy as a fierce competitor and team player remains intact.
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