Kevin Magnussen’s Career Was Incredibly Underrated: Here’s Why
Kevin Magnussen, after he earned a podium in his debut F1 race, never got another podium again. On paper, the Dane didn’t accomplish much in his ten-year F1 car, which doesn’t include the breaks he took because he couldn’t find a team. So he was an unnotable driver with an unnotable career, one of many in F1.
Until you look a little closer and really examine his results and greatest accomplishments under a microscope. Then you’ll see a talent who wasn’t given the right opportunities throughout his long career. But he had a long career for a reason. A fast driver who, while reckless, was often on his day and on his day was one of the fastest drivers out there.
Kevin Magnussen’s Year at McLaren
As I said, he only got a single podium in his career, but that tells only part of the story. He, in his F1 debut, beat his ex-World Champion teammate Button, who didn’t have an off day either. As he took the podium stand right by Kevin Magnussen, finishing 3rd in Australia that day.
But there were other, better drivers and cars Kevin Magnussen beat that afternoon. Not counting the disqualified Ricciardo. He beat world champions like Alonso and Räikkönen that day and beat other quality drivers in cars that, for the most part, were better than that years Mclaren. Like Bottas, Hülkenberg, Sutil, Daniil Kvyat, and Pérez. With all other notable drivers retiring early in the race due to various issues.
He earned points finishes for the rest of the year and, on occasion, beat his much more experienced and accomplished teammate in his rookie season. But McLaren was not a place for a young driver, as the higher-ups took one look at K-Mag and gave his seat to ex-world champion Fernando Alonso.
Kevin Magnussen’s First Haas Stint
The Dane had a great 2017. Finishing in the points semi-regularly with the American team again. But his 2017 highlight was, of course, when his Viking defense angered Nico Hulkenberg. Causing the German to confront him, and in response came K-Mag’s classic, “suck my balls, mate” quote.
2018 would be the peak for Kevin Magnussen and Haas, however. Starting with Haas achieving its best qualifying in the team’s history, with Kevin Magnussen qualifying 6th, one spot ahead of his teammate Grosjean. Then had one of his career highlights at the start, flying past a future multiple-time world champion, Verstappen, to get Haas into the top 5.
He would earn a career-high in points this year with 56 total and his only career top-10 points finish with a 9th-place finish at season’s end. Leading Haas to their highest ever finish in constructors with a 5th place.
A Display of Sportsmanship Like No Other
As well as having his moments that really showed the world his true talent, he would earn his first career fastest lap, but that wasn’t all. Until 2025, his 2018 fastest lap was the fastest lap at Singapore ever for seven straight years.
And got Haas’s best ever finish at Bahrain with a 5th place.The 2019 season started with great qualifying laps. Achieving laps like a 6th in Bahrain and 5th in Monaco. But the tires would wear fast, so he couldn’t keep pace in the race. Kevin Magnussen got it done in the races, too.
Such as his four-point finishes, four of seven, Haas would achieve that year. Including their highest finish of the year at the opening GP in Australia, where they finished 6th. But then came the worst year of his career, 2020. A hard-fought 10th at Hungary, which was his last point for two years, as he was on the sidelines for 2021.
Kevin Magnussen’s Second Haas Stint
In 2022, he returned to Haas as if he had never left, better than ever. Before the F1 season even began, he gave everyone a preview of what’s to come in the 24 Hours of Daytona. Making bold and aggressive passes on the likes of Conway and seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson. Showing the world that confidence and competitiveness hadn’t gone away.
Then, in his first race back, he finished in 5th with Haas. The team’s highest finish since 2018, after a 2021 in which they went pointless all season. It was a feel-good moment that foreshadowed what was to come. His comeback season would be remembered as the greatest accomplishment of his career.
When it was raining in São Paulo in qualifying, Kevin Magnussen would shock the racing world by beating that year’s world champion, Verstappen, to the pole for his and Haas’ first-ever F1 pole. A moment, everyone in F1 celebrated.
Why 2022 Was Mag’s Best Year
2022 was the best car Haas gave Kevin Magnussen in his comeback, so in 2023 and 2024, he’d spend fighting and scraping for every position he could get. Something he was better at than anyone in the world. Like he did something only the best drivers can manage, overtaking at Monaco, even if it was by barging through a hapless Sergeant. Earning overtake of the month.
In 2024, he’d get into even more scraps and get into even more trouble. Starting again in the Saudi desert when he fought with Albon. Scaring him into letting him overtake him on the outside after he managed to anger the Dane by stealing his move of pushing the driver off track.
This eventually made him the best driver since 2012, to be suspended after he clashed with Gasly in Monza. And it was confirmed that he’d be replaced by Oliver Bearmen a Ferrari development driver. He gave it his all until the end, though.
Conclusion
Having a fantastic final GP passing drivers at the start, he earned his third and final fastest lap before going out. With more young drivers than ever, it looks like the sun has finally set on the F1 chapter of Kevin Magnussen’s career.
The grizzled veteran, having done 144 races with Haas, puts him in the top 10 all-time for most time spent by a driver with one team. He moves to WEC to improve his chances of showing off his skills. Thanks a bunch for reading!
