Kevin Magnussen revealed that he had seen Haas split ways with Nikita Mazepin but never expected to be the Russian’s replacement.
Kevin Magnussen is back in Formula 1. The Dane, who has 119 starts, will race for Haas in the upcoming season. However, even Magnussen, by his own admission, has claimed that he never expected to return so swiftly.
Only last weekend, Haas parted ways with Russian driver Nikita Mazepin amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The American team then had to decide on a replacement. But when team boss Guenther Steiner called up Magnussen, the 29-year-old revealed that he simply couldn’t decline the opportunity.
Kevin Magnussen recalls conversation with Guenther Steiner
Before being confirmed as Haas’ replacement for Mazepin, Magnussen revealed that he had given up hope on returning to F1. The Danish star previously drove for McLaren and Renault before joining Haas from 2017 until leaving the team in 2020.
In a recent interview he said, “When Guenther called me, I said ‘yes’ immediately. Then I thought: ‘Should I have said yes? Was that clever?’ And then very quickly after that I was like, ‘Yes I have got to do this, it’s too exciting.”
Magnussen then revealed that the new era of cars had also played a huge role in marking his return to the sport. In 2021, Magnussen spent most of his time making an IndyCar cameo and had plans to continue with it before being given a second opportunity with Haas.
“I could just feel in my stomach that I want to do this. I can feel it. I didn’t know that I missed [F1] that much, but when I got the opportunity, I was like: ‘Yes.’” he concluded.
Magnussen will partner with Mick Schumacher for the 2022 season. The first race of the campaign will take place at the Bahrain international circuit on March 20th.
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