Kevin Magnussen admits it took a long time for him to adjust to Formula 1
- Planet Sport writer
- 10 April 2023
Now seen as one of the most experienced and reliable drivers on the grid, Kevin Magnussen says it took him a while to mentally adjust to the stresses of Formula 1.
The Dane made his F1 debut in 2014 with McLaren and has gone on to drive for Renault (now Alpine) and Haas, where he is still driving in the 2023 season.
Magnussen managed to get a podium in his debut race and has achieved one pole position but hasn't managed to kick on and become one of the faster drivers on the grid.
"I expected to get on the podium in 2014 because I didn't know any better," said Magnussen, at the Australian Grand Prix, reflecting on his debut.
"I kind of expected to win: I came off a junior career where that was always the case. Every race you were going for the win, the pole, the championships.
"I came to Formula 1 in that same mindset and then reality hit. It made the first race not so special as it was expected - if it [a podium] came now I'd be much happier.
"I lost a lot of confidence [through 2014] and found myself in a new space where you know you can't win, and you have that feeling so badly that you need to be winning otherwise it's not good enough.
"If I was fifth I would be depressed, today I would be over the moon, I was always frustrated and just not in the right mindset.
"It took a few years [to adapt] - probably my third year I was starting to be more grown up in my thinking."
