BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 10: Kevin Magnussen of Denmark and Haas F1 looks on during Day One of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on March 10, 2022 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Kevin Magnussen returned to Formula 1 as a replacement for Nikita Mazepin in the Haas F1 team
Kevin Magnussen has made a dream start to his new stint with Haas. Magnussen made a return to F1 after Russian driver Nikita Mazepin was sacked by Haas F1 team following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Magnussen stunned one and all with his 5th place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
This is only the fifth time that a Haas driver has finished inside the top 5 in a Grand Prix. Haas now sits third in the Constructors’ Championship with 10 points which is more than what they have scored in the last two seasons combined.
Kevin Magnussen is elated with how things turned out for him and his team in this race. Speaking on his performance, Magnussen said, “This craziness just continues. We had a really good race, the car was good all the way through. That first stint maybe wasn’t perfect but then from there, even though we pitted earlier than planned.” The Haas driver further added, “Obviously, a bit of luck there at the end with the two Red Bulls but we will take that. I can’t wait for the rest of the year, I just want to keep going.”
Haas team principal, Guenther Steiner is equally pleased with the result. “If you think about the last two years and then coming back like this, you cannot write a story like this in my opinion”, said Steiner. He further added, “It’s just fantastic, I can’t say more but it’s all down to the team. Kevin did a fantastic job, for him to make a comeback like this he would not have dreamt of, but things happen in life – a month ago it was a completely different scenario and now all of a sudden, we are fifth.”
Kevin Magnussen is a driver fans can easily relate to Haas. Since the speculations of Mazepin’s removal have been doing the rounds a lot of formidable names have been discussed as the possible replacement option and Magnussen has emerged as an unlikely choice.
Haas principal Guenther Steiner had publicly spoken of test driver Pietro Fittipaldi as the automatic first choice. Media reports suggested Antonio Giovinazzi or Nico Hulkenberg could be the possible replacement, Magnussen was hardly spoken of but he just seems to be the best fit.
Magnussen is definitely happy to make a comeback to F1 for a team he knows inside out. The Danish driver had earlier said, “I was obviously very surprised but equally very excited to receive the call from Haas F1 team.” Kevin Magnussen and Haas would be aiming for consistency and look to carry this momentum forward to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix next week.
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