Kevin Magnussen: From ATS Formula 3 Cup to Formula 1

He is living his big dream. Kevin Magnussen will be firmly established in Formula 1 starting this season. The Dane from Roskilde will contest his debut season for McLaren Mercedes. The 21-year old, whose team-mate will be Jenson Button, has just completed a test session in his McLaren MP4-29 at Jerez, Spain. The result of his first day of practice was surprising, and at the same time it was not; he set the fastest lap. After all, his debut in the ATS Formula 3 Cup in 2010 was pretty much the same. Back then, Magnussen was already considered an exceptional talent.
 
At Jerez, Kevin Magnussen showed both his own and his McLaren’s MP4-29 potential. The rookie set the fastest lap, leaving Felipe Massa, Lewis Hamilton and his team-mate Jenson Button behind him. “I’m not taking too much from the fact that I set the fastest time – I was pushing, but it wasn’t a balls-to-the-wall lap. We wanted to get good data and learn about the car, so I think everyone is pushing out there. Even so, I still think we can improve the car this week.” The second day of testing did not go so well. Magnussen crashed into the wall but sustained no injuries. He even set the fourth fastest lap in the end.

Debut in Formula 1 after four years
Magnussen made his debut in Formula racing in 2008, when he contested the Danish Formula Ford: 11 victories, 12 podium finishes, 6 pole positions, 10 fastest laps. In 2009 he switched to the Team Motorpark Academy and to Formula Renault, where he put in a fantastic performance again. The fast Dane was then accepted for McLaren’s Young Driver Programme. His former team principal remembers the time. “Kevin was really young when he joined us, and he had not had a substantial preparation. His exceptional talent was very obvious right from the start. However, Kevin struggled to turn his talent into measurable results during his first year in particular,” says Timo Rumpfkeil. In 2010 Magnussen contested the ATS Formula 3 Cup. “In Formula 3 he was more consistent and delivered steady results, which reflected his learning process.” An impressive season with a victory in the first race, one of three throughout the season, which he finished third in the overall standings and with the title “rookie of the year”. Rumpfkeil continues: “He earned his place in Formula 1 based on his performance, and he really deserves it. I am confident that he will contest Formula 1 for a long time.”

Off the track…
Hopefully, Magnussen’s team will have somebody who is responsible for special tasks. Timo Rumpfkeil knows why: “Kevin used to be really out of his depth travelling alone, especially in the beginning. I am not quite sure, if he was capable of packing his bag without any help. Therefore, getting him things he had forgotten again or lending him cash because he had lost it at home was a daily occurrence.” The season will kick off in Melbourne, Australia on March 14th! Hopefully, Magnussen will have all the necessary travel equipment with him then.