Kevin Magnussen

## Career Overview

### **McLaren (2014)**

Kevin Magnussen made his F1 debut in 2014 with McLaren. His best result of the season would come at Malaysia, taking fourth - directly in front of team mate, Jenson Button. Despite showing signs of pace, Magnussen was often out performed by team mate Button. This lead to Magnussen's contract going without renewal, and he was replaced at McLaren for 2015 by Fernando Alonso. Magnussen was unable to secure a drive with another team, testing with Renault in 2016 the closest he had come to returning to F1.

### **Alfa Romeo (2019 - 2021)**

Magnussen tested with Alfa Romeo during the mid-season test, and was later offered provisional contract to race alongside Josh Tirowee for 2020.

In the week leading up to the Hungarian Grand Prix, Alfa Romeo announced that Antonio Govinazzi was to be dropped due to continued poor performances. He was replaced with Kevin Magnussen, who was originally contracted to be at the team for the 2020 season. Magnussen would prove his worth finishing his debut race for the team in 11th.

Magnussen's breakthrough race would come at the next race at Monaco. The Dane qualified second, making the most of the mixed conditions. A perfect start gave him the lead into turn one. Magnussen lead until his first pit stop. He re-joined the track behind team mate Josh Tirowee. Under instruction from Alfa Romeo, Magnussen was allowed through. Once all the cars in front had pitted, Magnussen and Tirowee ran first and second. Playing the defensive role, Tirowee helped Magnussen build up a lead of over 7 seconds. Once Tirowee pitted, the pack of cars behind were unable to catch Magnussen. The Dane crossed the line 5 seconds ahead of Daniil Kvyat's Mercedes to take his first victory in F1. Tirowee finished a respectable 8th after starting 19th.

The final four races of the season were cancelled, leaving Magnussen in high demand, but the Dane stayed committed to drive for Alfa Rome in 2020. Magnussen got his season properly underway at round 2, with 8th place in the wildcard race. Consistent points finishes in the opening 6 rounds left Magnussen 11th in the Championship standings. The Dane took his first F1 podium finish of 2020 at the Italian Grand Prix, starting and finishing the race in second, after holding off a lap lap charge from the Renault on Nico Hulkenberg.

Kevin Magnussen took pole for the British Grand Prix, following a wet-dry Q3 session. Playing a defensive rle for his team mate Josh Tirowee throughout the race, the Dane finished the race a respectable 6th.

Alfa Romeo locked out the front row for the Belgian Grand Prix. A controlled drive from Kevin Magnussen and Josh Tirowee saw them trade fastest lap after fastest lap. The Dane eventually lead home the first Alfa Romeo 1-2 finish since 1951.

#### **2021**

Kevin Magnussen remained at Alfa Romeo, eager to build of his race win last season.

Alfa Romeo looked to have one of the fastest cars in the opening race. Magnussen and Tirowee recording the fastest straight line speeds all race weekend. An alternate strategy for Tirowee left the defending Champion in contention for victory, but last lap contact with the Aston Martin of Sergio Perez left the Brit settling for second. Magnussen backed up the Italian-Swiss outfits early pace finishing fourth. Magnussen was on for another top 5 at USA, but a front wing failure forced the Dane to pit at the same time as Tirowee. Magnussen managed to finish the race, but only in 15th. Tirowee finished fourth with the fastest lap. Magnussen was left to fly the flag for Alfa Romeo in round 3 at Mexico, as Tirowee had to put at the end of the first lap after Norris made contact with the defending Champion. Magnussen finished 4th, with Tirowee recovering to 12th. Magnussen was dominant over the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, taking an easy pole, and dominating the race until his Ferrari engine failed mid-race. Tirowee managed to finish 3rd in the remaining AR/21.

##### **Ferrari Engine Controversy**

Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, some technical regulations related to the engine were clarified. It was suspected that Ferrari had been burning oil as fuel in between the readings taken by the sensors. This would give a elementary but persistent power boost, and can attribute to the incredible straight line speeds shown. The FIA reached a private agreement with Ferrari, but it was clear from FP1 at the Red Bull Ring that the Scuderia, and customers Alfa Romeo were significantly slower through the speed trap.

This would have further repercussions on Alfa Romeo, as the Italian Outfit was forced to explore new development paths with their chassis and aerodynamics. These upgrades would in turn take numerous weeks to develop and divert focus from the development of their 2022 challenger.

The shortened season brought title glory for Alfa Romeo. Kevin Magnussen won the Belgian Grand Prix, securing Alfa Romeo their first Constructor's Championship.

### **Toyota (2022-Present)**

By all means Toyota's 2021 season was below target, and the team's continued work and development of the TRD121 wasn't enough to convince 2008 Champion Lewis Hamilton to re sign. Taking the place of the Brit is the feisty Dane, Kevin Magnussen. The most recent race winner and Monaco specialist aims to build towards his first title challenge.

The season was far below expectations for team and driver, but Magnussen scored consistently and secured the team ahead of Aston Martin and AlphaTauri.

Niko Kari returned at the Miami Grand Prix to replace Kevin Magnussen. The Dane underwent hand surgery in preparation for the 2023 season, and would miss the final three races of the season.

#### **2023**

Gene Haas was keen to retain Kevin Magnussen, after putting in consistent points finishes for Toyota last season. The Dane has fully recovered from a hand surgery that kept him away from the final three races last season.

## Racing Record (Formula One Results Only)

Results in **bold**, indicate Championships won.