Former Haas driver Kevin Magnussen will make his IndyCar debut at Road America for McLaren SP this weekend, replacing Felix Rosenqvist.
Rosenqvist was involved in a serious fall during the first race of the Detroit Grand Prix last weekend, which he described as “the most violent” of his career. He suffered no major injuries but was hospitalized overnight and replaced by former McLaren SP driver Oliver Askew in race two.
Askew is racing again for Ed Carpenter Racing this weekend, replacing Rinus Veekay, who was injured in a bicycle accident. Magnussen will therefore step in at McLaren SP.
McLaren SP released an announcement today stating: “Following an evaluation by the Indycar Medical Team, Felix Rosenqvist was not eligible for the REV Group Grand Prix at Road America this weekend.
“Felix will be replaced for the REV Group Grand Prix by Kevin Magnussen, who will make his Indycar debut,” the statement said.
After being laid off by Haas during the 2020 F1 season, Magnussen spoke to several IndyCar teams. At the time, McLaren CEO Zak Brown said there was “no place” for him on the McLaren team as they had already signed Pato O’Ward and Rosenqvist. However, he said he believed, “Kevin is a very fast driver, very aggressive which I think fits the IndyCar driving style.”
Magnussen drove for McLaren’s F1 team in the 2014 season and achieved his only F1 podium in his debut at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix. After Fernando Alonso’s return in 2015, he found himself in a reserve role in the team and moved to Renault in 2016.
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