Kevin Magnussen has looked back over is Formula 1 career, from claiming P2 on debut to his infamous “suck my balls” comment in 2017.
The Dane emerged on the grid drawing comparisons to Lewis Hamilton, as he was promoted to the seat alongside Jenson Button by McLaren fresh from winning the Formula Renault 3.5 in 2013.
Magnussen would then immediately show his potential by finishing third in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, becoming second after Daniel Ricciardo was disqualified.
“It’s hard to know how things are going to go,” he told Motorsport.com on what his aspirations were back then.
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“I have to say, when I started my F1 career in Melbourne 2014, I had pretty high expectations. I thought I was going to be fighting for the championship in my first year after that first race.
“You can’t ever predict how things are going to go in Formula 1. You’ve just got to do the best, and enjoy it while it lasts.”
Unfortunately, that second place would be the high point of Magnussen’s entire F1 career, as he would be dropped by McLaren after just one year to make way for Fernando Alonso.
“I can’t complain, I’m thankful for the opportunity McLaren gave me as a rookie,” Kevin said.
“I can’t really say that I regret anything. I thought I was going to get into Formula 1 with Force India back then, that was almost a done deal, that was my expectation, and what McLaren was telling me, that they would place me in Force India.
“At the last minute, it changed, and they put me in McLaren. It was also a very hectic time around my debut, but at the end of the day, I’m happy with how things turned out.”
A year on the sidelines was then followed by another frustrating year at Renault in 2016 before joining Haas in 2017, where he would spend the rest of his career.
However, while K-Mag became known for his ultra-aggressive approach, it was his “suck my balls” comment to Nico Hulkenberg in the paddock after the Hungarian GP in 2017 that he is often most remembered for.
“This thing with Hulkenberg haunts me to this day. It has become almost annoying to talk about it,” he told Motorsport-Total.com.
“There are other things that I will remember. This one thing got a lot of attention, but it is not something I will remember in my Formula 1 career.
“Why do people remember that right now? It’s difficult for me to understand. I remember more sporting things and things that happened on the track.”
As for whether he has any more regrets, Magnussen added: “You can always look back and find things that I would have done differently if I could do it again, and decisions I would have done differently if I could do it again.
“But at the end of the day, I got a career in Formula 1. Not many people get to do that. As a young kid dreaming of Formula 1, it’s a pretty difficult dream to realise.
“I did that, and I’m thankful for that, and pleased that I got the opportunity.”
Starting this month at Daytona, Magnussen is embarking on his next challenge in IMSA with the Chip Ganassi team.
But asked if he had closed the door on F1 permanently, RaceFans quoted him as saying: “A new book opened, for sure, but whether the chapter is closed, I don’t know. You never know what can happen in these things.
“I’m not really looking back. I’m looking ahead and trying to build a career outside of Formula 1. I have a lot of experience and you should never say never but I’m certainly looking ahead.”
