"Emotional" Magnussen "at peace" with F1 exit

Haas

"Emotional" Magnussen "at peace" with F1 exit

Kevin Magnussen will make his final F1 appearance in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Sam Hall

Friday 11 December 2020 08:39

Haas driver Kevin Magnussen claims he is "at peace" with the fact the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix could be the final Formula 1 race of his career but conceded it will be "emotional" saying goodbye to the team.

Magnussen will make his 119th grand prix start when the lights go out at the Yas Marina circuit as the Dane bows out of F1 to pursue a career in the United States, racing initially in sportscars but with the ultimate goal of competing in IndyCar.

Reflecting on his move away from F1, Magnussen said: “I’m pretty at peace with it. I know in motorsport you should never say never.

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"In Formula 1 lots of things can happen and you never say never but I’m ready to call this my last race.

“I’m going to go out and enjoy it and drive this amazing car that is so satisfying to drive and just look back on this amazing opportunity that I’ve been given.

“Growing up as a kid and dreaming of Formula 1 and wanting to reach Formula 1, to get there and make a career out of it is something I’m really lucky and privileged to have done.”

One moment the Dane is not looking forward to, however, is climbing out of the car for the last time and bidding farewell to the team with which he has spent the past four years.

“Certainly on Sunday when I park the car after the race I’m going to think about the fact that jumping out of the car it could be the last time I jump out of a Formula 1 car," said Magnussen.

"But I think the main thing that is going to be emotional is going to be saying goodbye to all of the guys in the Haas F1 Team.

“It’s a bunch of people that I’ve grown really close to and some people that have been super-supportive of me across these four years, some guys that I have become friends with and I’m certainly going to miss working with every other weekend.

“I think that is going to be the main emotional thing. The rest, as I said, I’m just more excited about what is going to happen now and what lies ahead of me.

“But it’s going to be emotional to say goodbye to all these guys.”