Kevin Magnussen admits being stuck in what has been dubbed ‘F1.5’ with Haas has impacted his racing psyche.
The Dane expressed his lack of interest in the battle for finishing fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, something that has become the goal for most of the midfield teams with the top three of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull out of reach.
This despite his own performances improving the past two years since joining the American squad at the start of 2017.
“It does frustrate me,” he told Autosport. “It’s not that exciting fighting for best of the rest and all that, it’s not something that really turns me on.”
Unable to fight for the major positions, with only a best finish of fifth on two occasions this past season, Magnussen almost admits the feeling each racing driver wants has become a distant memory.
“I’ve almost forgotten what a podium felt like, or a pole position or a championship win because it is so long since I have had the chance of getting this,” he said.
“That’s a bit disappointing really but that’s the way it is.”
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Efforts are underway to try and address the performance differential but it’s unlikely to be before 2021 meaning another two years at least of midfield obscurity.
“I don’t know if it worries me. It is what it is,” said Magnussen of that prospect. “At least I’m in a good team outside those top three teams and we are fighting for the best of the rest.
“I have been in the bottom team before and that’s definitely no fun, at least here you are fighting for points and fighting actually with some teams whereas if you’re rock bottom you’re not fighting anyone you are just driving around.
“But I do miss the feeling of a race win, fighting for championships, winning championships. I miss that dearly.”
During his four seasons on the F1 grid K-Mag has had just one podium in his Formula 1 career, second in his first race at McLaren in 2014.