Kevin Magnussen has had multiple ‘final’ System 1 race throughout his profession. However the 32-year-old’s grand prix profession lastly seems to be at an finish following his newest departure from Haas.
He ended his remaining season fifteenth within the standings with lower than half the factors of his group mate Nico Hulkenberg. Each drivers loved extra aggressive seasons than final 12 months, nonetheless, as Haas efficiently tackled the tyre life downside which plagued its chassis throughout 2023.
Hulkenberg was recurrently the faster of the pair over a single flying lap, normally capable of finding the previous few tenths of a second which makes such an enormous distinction within the midfield today. On common Magnussen was round 0.16 seconds off, which frequently meant he didn’t accompany his group mate into Q3 and began a number of locations behind him.
This had different knock-on results for Magnussen, significantly early within the season when the group snatched at each level obtainable, having solely scored 12 and completed final the 12 months earlier than. When Hulkenberg ran greater up the order at tracks like Jeddah and Miami, Magnussen was deployed to delay his pursuers, which the group determined was the easiest way he may contribute to their points-scoring on these events.
At instances that introduced Magnussen into battle with different drivers, the upshot being he was concerned in incidents which led to penalties. These incidents plus others added as much as the purpose that he grew to become the primary F1 driver to obtain a one-race ban for gathering 12 endorsement factors on his licence.
That plus an enforced absence from the Brazilian Grand Prix as a result of sickness meant Magnussen’s remaining season was inevitably patchy. There have been some optimistic moments from his later races, nonetheless, and he was taken out of rivalry for factors within the season finale, the place Haas strived in useless to beat Alpine to sixth within the standings, by means of not fault of his personal as a result of a sluggish pit cease.
However whereas Magnussen remaining F1 season was not as poor as they numbers might point out, nor did it make a convincing case to Haas that he deserved a tenth 12 months on the prime flight. Whereas the group was dissatisfied to be taught early within the season that they might lose Hulkenberg to Sauber, Magnussen’s deal was not renewed.
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The fireworks some predicted when Magnussen and Hulkenberg first teamed up at Haas final 12 months didn’t materialise. Haas group principal Ayao Komatsu has assembled an all-new line-up for his second 12 months in cost and a few ponder whether Esteban Ocon, who has had a number of run-is with previous group mates, and promising rookie Oliver Bearman would possibly take a look at the group’s administration reasonably extra.
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Unrepresentative comparisons omitted. Unfavourable worth: Magnussen was quicker; Optimistic worth: Hulkenberg was quicker
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