Podcast: Kevin Magnussen, My big break
Kevin Magnussen tells Chris Medland about the make-or-break moments that saw him enter F1 with McLaren and return this year at Haas, in the My big break podcast series
When you’re a Magnussen, the name alone can open doors, but you won’t get through them, unless the talent’s there.
Kevin Magnussen is Chris Medland’s latest guest on the My big break podcast, describing the key moments that shaped his career.
The 29-year-old describes being invited to McLaren after winning the Danish Formula Ford championship because his dad, Jan, had been the team’s test driver.
He got on to its junior driver programme but it soon became apparent that he wasn’t going to get an easy ride when he was given the ultimatum of winning the Formula Renault 3.5 Series or seeing his F1 dreams evaporate.
Magnussen rose to the challenge and he talks about how his career progressed with a Force India drive that never was, a podium finish on his debut, and fighting for his McLaren seat with Jenson Button.
After a year out of Grand Prix racing, Magnussen has returned to Haas in impressive form, and he explains why he’s so much more relaxed for his second stint in F1.