Kevin Magnussen enjoying F1 a ‘lot more’ with ‘very heavy pressure’ gone

Kevin Magnussen is enjoying Formula 1 a lot more since his return, after a 'big weight' from his shoulders was lifted - and he thinks he's gotten even better after becoming a father.

Kevin Magnussen enjoying F1 a ‘lot more’ with ‘very heavy pressure’ gone

Kevin Magnussen

After a year out, Kevin Magnussen returned to Formula 1 in 2022: And in some fashion too. He finished P5 in Bahrain, and scored good points in two of the next three races. But his and Haas’ fortunes dwindled for a few races. They returned to form in Silverstone and Austria, but generally had no occasion for joy after that, with him and the team only scoring 3 points after that, except one particular race weekend.

In Brazil, out of nowhere, Magnussen took pole position. As expected, he wasn’t able to keep it, and only managed to stay in the points for the sprint race. Unfortunately, he was taken out on the start of the feature race by Daniel Ricciardo (who got ‘instant karma’ a few seconds later). So despite the fall-off, it was definitely a decent season for him. Apart from the racing, he also did well in some particular aspects: such as mental fortitude.

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Guenther Steiner thinks the Dane was ‘mentally a lot stronger’ than some time ago, and Magnussen himself has also felt a change: Particularly in his own expectations. Speaking to media including Motorsport.com, the Dane said: “The biggest pressure is my own expectation. Ever since I was a little child, I’ve thought of life as being all about Formula 1 and getting to the top of the sport. I thought being a Formula 1 world champion is the ultimate thing you can achieve in life, which I’ve now realised is not the case.”

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Now, with a shift in his ‘regard’ for Formula 1, Magnussen is able to enjoy the sport ‘a lot more’. He said: “That took some of that pressure away, and that’s been a really positive thing. Now I actually enjoy Formula 1 a lot more. When I was in that old mindset, it always just felt very scary to be around here because of all that pressure from myself. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to achieve happiness if I didn’t get success in the sport, which of course is a very heavy pressure.”

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Kevin Magnussen thinks he’s become even better after becoming a father

Kevin Magnussen
Kevin Magnussen

Of course, there’s not just internal expectations, but outside pressure as well. Just being a Formula 1 driver comes with truckloads of that. So now, with a changed mindset, Kevin Magnussen is enjoying the sport more. In addition to that, he thinks his ‘speed’ has actually increased since becoming a father, contrary to people’s expectations that it might induce cautiousness.

Magnussen said: “So I think for me, it’s actually been a positive. I heard a lot of people joke that oh, it costs a tenth or two when you become a dad, but it’s certainly not the case. I think it’s the other way around. There’s not this big weight on my shoulders in the same way. Of course you still have great expectations to myself, and big ambitions, but it’s just different. It’s all OK, that kind of thing. I’m happy.”

It’s certainly good to hear that Magnussen is feeling better, and more at peace in Formula 1. It remains to be seen if he can improve his performance even further in the next few years, now boosted by a changed mindset, and if Haas can step it up alongside him as well.

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