Following today’s announcement that Haas will retain both Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hülkenberg for 2024, Magnussen expresses his excitement to continue driving in Formula 1 for a seventh season with the team.
Haas today announced that both Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hülkenberg will continue to drive for the team in 2024 stating they had no reason to stray from what they deem a very strong pairing of drivers.
“…This team that’s basically become my family…”
Having returned to the team for the 2022 season alongside Mick Schumacher following a one year hiatus from the sport, Kevin Magnussen is currently competing in his sixth season with Haas. Following today’s announcement, the Danish driver commented on his excitement to continue with the team he says has become like a family.
“Very pleased of course,” Magnussen responded when asked his feelings on the contract extension. “Another season with this team that’s basically become my family now in Formula 1. It’s going to be the seventh year and I’m very pleased that I’m now continuing for another year and able to benefit hopefully from the work we’re putting in now.”
When asked about the duration of the contract extension, Magnussen shied away from answering, claiming he was “not sure” what he was allowed to say on the matter. His response is open to interpretation but for now only a one year extension has been confirmed by the team.
“As a team we’re in a good trajectory…”
Magnussen was also quizzed on team principal Guenther Steiner’s comments that it had felt natural to continue with both of the team’s current drivers. Magnussen believes himself and Hulkenberg work well together and are a great fit for the Haas outift.
“I think it feels natural and I think we have been working really well as a team,” he replied. “I think me and Nico [Hülkenberg] together with the experience that we have and the consistency and maturity that we have between us is a good fit for the team in the journey that they’re on at this point.
“I think the team is in a good spot. Of course on track we’re not where we want to be but as a team we’re in a good trajectory and in a nice spot, in a good direction. So it’s nice that I get to hopefully see the benefit of that and be able to see all the hard work we’re putting in at the moment come to fruition next year.”
“You feel some sort of security with him…”
When asked if being the team’s first choice for next year bolstered his confidence, Magnussen was quick to praise the brutal honesty of team boss Guenther Steiner. He claims his no nonsense attitude instils trust and confidence as he is always to the point.
“Guenther [Steiner] is always very open, very honest,” Magnussen commented. “You feel some sort of security with him always. Honesty is security, even though he tells you ‘you’re a d***head’ and ‘you can f*** off’.
“I think that’s something I appreciate a lot; not being called a d***head, but just the fact that he is so honest and you can trust him. That’s, I think, a very good quality in him.”
