Dropped by Haas at the end of the 2020 season, Kevin Magnussen‘s last two weeks have scarcely been believable.
Reclaiming his seat on the eve of pre-season testing in Bahrain to replace the team’s ejected Russian driver Nikita Mazepin, Magnussen has turned heads with his performance at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Notably poor performers in recent years, Haas finished at the rear in last year’s constructor standings. However, with new regulations coming in for 2022, it appears Haas’ improved VF-22 and fresh driver line-up has them punching above their previous weight.
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Magnussen’s impressive weekend started with a stunning run during Sunday morning’s qualifying session in which he saw Haas to their first appearance in Q3 since 2019, before clocking the fifth-fastest time to start front most of the midfield competitors.
The Dane then continued his remarkable form, on course for seventh position in the race before late retirements saw him elevated to fifth – the team’s best result since Magnussen’s P6 finish at the 2018 Australian Grand Prix.
Speaking post-race to Sky Sports F1, Magnussen agreed it had been a fairytale start to the season for both himself and Haas.
“It’s been a crazy, crazy weekend. I feel like I’ve been saying the same thing all week because it’s just gotten better and better, and every time it gets better. I still can’t believe it,” he said.
After some trying years at Haas while working towards their 2022 design, Magnussen commended the team for their efforts and dedication.
“The team really deserve this,” he said. “They’ve worked so hard over the last couple of years and took a lot of bashing for the tough car – because they were focusing on this car – and got a good result today.”
He also thanked team principal Guenther Steiner and owner Gene Haas for the opportunity to return to Formula 1.
Usually a despondent figure after a race, the smile could not be wiped from Steiner’s face as he celebrated only the fifth occasion Haas has finished a race in the top-five.
“What the whole team did I mean, if you think about the last two years and then coming back like this, I mean you cannot write a story like this in my opinion,” he told Ted Kravitz for Sky Sports F1.
“It’s all down to the team. They can all be very proud, I am proud of them so it’s just fantastic, I can’t say more.”
Asked about Magnussen’s fightback, Steiner said they made the right call and were excited to see what the 29-year-old could deliver for the team in future.
“Kevin did a fantastic job, for me a comeback like this he wouldn’t have even dreamed of I think. But things happen in life, a month ago it was a completely different scenario and now all of a sudden we are fifth,” Steiner said.
“When we knew we need another driver or we need to replace a driver, I think it was the right choice to make. I mean he came back, he’s full of energy and you must think, he didn’t drive an F1 car for 40 months so it’s even more spectacular.
“Can you imagine if he would have just got out of one at the end of last year? We would be on the podium.”
F1 fans will not have long to wait with action for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix beginning this Friday.
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