After being sidelined by illness for the Brazilian Grand Prix, Kevin Magnussen is determined to close his Formula 1 career on a high note, fueled by a newfound momentum that came just as Haas introduced a key aerodynamic upgrade in Austin. With his exit imminent to make way for rising star Ollie Bearman, the 32-year-old Danish driver is set on making his last races count.
Magnussen’s career has been a series of highs and lows, spread over nine seasons marked by two stints on the sidelines. Yet when he’s in sync with his car, Magnussen has shown formidable speed and resilience. His recent performances in the USA and Mexico Grands Prix highlighted this potential, as he emerged as the faster Haas driver, even securing a commendable seventh-place finish in Mexico—a rare head-of-the-midfield result that underlined his renewed confidence.
The Brake Fix That Changed Magnussen’s Game
The spark behind Magnussen’s resurgence? An improvement in Haas’s braking system. For most of the season, he struggled with brake inconsistencies, experiencing a “lag” that threw off his confidence on corner entry. “When I hit the brakes, they have a bit of lag,” he explained. “It upsets you for the corner when you already feel uncomfortable with the brakes.”
For Magnussen, braking is not just about deceleration; it’s essential for setting up his car’s balance before a turn. Haas’s brake adjustments gave him consistent braking “bite,” allowing him to approach corners with newfound control and precision.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu elaborated, “Before, when he hit the brakes, he didn’t know when he was going to get peak deceleration. Imagine that as a driver—it’s horrible.” These tweaks, a mix of system and temperature improvements, were a game-changer for Magnussen. While teammate Nico Hulkenberg occasionally felt similar issues, he wasn’t impacted to the same extent, showing how braking preferences vary from driver to driver.
Final Races and Future Prospects with Haas
Magnussen’s renewed confidence and the Austin upgrades have set him up to aim high in his final races. Though unlikely to change his F1 destiny, a strong performance could help Haas in its battle for sixth in the Constructors’ Championship.
Looking ahead, Haas is open to keeping Magnussen within its ranks, possibly in a development role. He could contribute to Haas’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) program or assist with its driver-in-loop simulator development, leveraging his experience as a top-rated simulator driver from his McLaren days.
With just three races left, Magnussen is embracing every lap as he prepares for what may be his F1 swan song. Thanks to a crucial brake fix, he’s better equipped than ever to make those final starts memorable and leave an enduring mark on the Haas legacy.