Kevin Magnussen has had a couple of ‘final’ Components 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 drawback which plagued its chassis throughout 2023.
Hulkenberg was frequently 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 nowadays. On common Magnussen was round 0.16 seconds off, which regularly meant he did not accompany his group mate into Q3 and began a number of locations behind him.
This had different knock-on results for Magnussen, notably early within the season when the group snatched at each level accessible, having solely scored 12 and completed final the 12 months earlier than. When Hulkenberg ran larger 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 might contribute to their points-scoring on these events.
At occasions 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 accumulating 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 constructive moments from his later races, nonetheless, and he was taken out of competition for factors within the season finale, the place Haas strived in useless to beat Alpine to sixth within the standings, via 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 high flight. Whereas the group was upset to study early within the season that they’d 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 did not materialise. Haas group principal Ayao Komatsu has assembled an all-new line-up for his second 12 months in cost and a few wonder if Esteban Ocon, who has had just a few run-is with previous group mates, and promising rookie Oliver Bearman would possibly check the group’s administration somewhat extra.
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Unrepresentative comparisons omitted. Damaging worth: Magnussen was sooner; Optimistic worth: Hulkenberg was sooner
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