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 got some running in the Bahrain test ahead of the new F1 season
There was a popular face back in the F1 paddock as testing continued in Bahrain ahead of the new F1 season. Kevin Magnussen was back in the cockpit of the Haas and no one could have predicted this taking place a few months back.
Haas decided to stick with Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher despite a tough season last time around. However, the Russian-Ukraine war-hit Haas the most. The team decided to end their sponsorship deal with Uralkali and then the axe fell on Mazepin.
Magnussen was called up as a quick replacement, and the Danish star was back at the wheel and looking forward to the new season.
He got a few laps with the new car in Bahrain, and there was a lot of excitement from the fans.
Magnussen made his F1 debut with McLaren and even scored a second place in that race. However, that was the best it got for the 29-year-old. He didn’t race for McLaren in the next season and was signed by Renault for one season.
The Dane then joined Haas in 2017 and remained with the team for four seasons. His best finish in the championship for Haas was ninth in 2018.
However, the 2020 season was torrid for the team and Magnussen only got one point to finish 20th in the driver’s standings.
Haas effectively pressed the reset button and replaced both their drivers. Magnussen couldn’t get an F1 seat and tried his hand out at IndyCar, Le Mans and the IMSA SportsCar Championship in 2021.
However, he is back at Haas and it will be interesting to see how the American team does under the new regulations.
Magnussen doesn’t have a lot of time to get acclimatised to his car, but many fans were just happy to see the Dane back in F1. Here are some of their reactions from Twitter.
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