Magnussen’s 4-year run at Haas F1 left a lot to be desired

Kevin Magnussen and the Haas F1 team can likely agree on one thing as Magnussen prepares for his final Formula 1 weekend before heading to sports cars and a ride with Ganassi Racing in the IMSA WeatherTech series next year: Neither Magnussen nor did the Haas F1 team live there meeting each other’s expectations during Magnussen’s four-year run.

Magnussen ends his run with Haas – and likely his F1 career – on a whimper after scoring just one point this season. He is 2 of 23 in the Formula 1 drivers’ standings. His average starting position on the grid is 16.6 while his average target position is 15.8.

Kevin Magnussen will drive with the Haas F1 Team for the last time on Sunday.

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It was such a season for the 28-year-old.

“I actually have no wishes how the fans should remember me,” said Magnussen on Thursday in Abu Dhabi during a video conference with the media. “It’s like they can remember me for what they want to remember me for. It’s not like I’m thinking of this stuff.

“I think I was really blessed and privileged to have this opportunity that I had in Formula 1. I’ve been in Formula 1 for eight years, including my test years. I had it.” Six racing seasons, kind of, but I came from a little kid who dreamed of Formula 1. I chose it and believed in it and got there and had this opportunity.

“Yes, I dreamed of being world champion. I dreamed of winning races. But I have a podium in Formula 1 and a couple of fair seasons. When I think about where I’m from and going to and all of those Seasons, I can only do that. ” Be really happy with it. “

This weekend is the 100th race in Formula 1 for the Haas F1 Team. There were few bright spots, but one of them came in 2018 when teammates Romain Grosjean and Magnussen finished 4-5 in Austria. That season marked the high water mark for Haas – the team finished fifth in the championship and Magnussen ninth in the drivers’ chase.

This season fell far short of expectations for both the team and Magnussen. With just three points, Haas is ninth in the F1 constructors’ championship. Magnussen scored one point and only drove on the leading lap in three of 16 races. In last week’s race in Bahrain, Magnussen was 32.37 seconds ahead of the lead, which is the closest thing to the end of that race this year.

“The last few years have been difficult in Formula 1,” said Magnussen. “It wasn’t that exciting for me to be at the rear. What I really look back is 2018 when we did really well.

“I’m just looking forward to what’s going to happen now. I’m looking forward to driving again in a car that I know can win on a team that I know will give me the chance to Championships to fight. ” My first race will be Daytona (the Rolex 24), which I’m really excited about. “

Kevin Magnussen’s only Formula 1 podium came in his first race when he finished second in Australia to open the 2014 season for McLaren.

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Magnussen will move to Ganassi Racing in IMSA, where he will drive the team’s new Cadillac DPi together with sports car veteran Renger van der Zande. Magnussen will follow in the footsteps of his father Jan, who competed for the Corvette Racing championship team at IMSA.

“Of course on Sunday, when I park the car after the race, I’ll think about jumping out of the car could be the last time I’ll jump out of a Formula 1 car,” said Kevin Magnussen. “But I think the main thing that is going to be emotional is saying goodbye to all the guys on the Haas F1 team. There are a lot of people that I’ve got really close to and some people that have been really supportive of me in these four years. “

One of the guys who had Magnussen’s back is team boss Günther Steiner, who this year ultimately had the reputation of not renewing Magnussen or Grosjean. Instead, the team will go with the youth in 2021, namely Formula 2 stars Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin.

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“I am very proud that we have reached that mark (100 races) and I am very proud of ourselves as a team,” said Steiner. “My thanks also go to our drivers. Romain (Grosjean) unfortunately had to leave two Grand Prix prematurely because of his incident in Bahrain, for which we were grateful, and Kevin (Magnussen) was the last with us for four years and has made a major contribution to growth done by the team.

“I want to wish him the best of luck in the future. Both guys will be remembered as part of the founding members of Haas F1.”

Is this the last time we heard from Magnussen in Formula 1? What if this is the last F1 drive?

“I’m pretty happy with it,” said Magnussen. “I know in motorsport you should never say never. A lot of things can happen in Formula 1, but I’m ready to call this my last race.

“I’m going to go out and enjoy it and drive this amazing car that is so satisfying to drive and just think back on this amazing opportunity that was given to me. Growing up as a kid and dreaming of Formula 1 and wanting to get into Formula 1 too coming and getting there and making a career out of it is something I feel really lucky and privileged to have done. “

Kevin Magnussen may not have been the most inspiring four-year run in F1 history, but it helped the Haas F1 team make it to the 100th race. What does the future look like for the team? Start the conversation in the comments section below.

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