F1 ‘pressure’ effect outlined in striking revelation

Kevin Magnussen feels that his years in Formula 1 have taught him how to handle pressure, even though he appreciates the differing levels in the top echelon of motorsport.

Magnussen enjoyed a nine-year career in F1, punctuated by two enforced season-long breaks, initially after being axed by McLaren at the end of his debut campaign in 2014, and again after being released by Haas after the Covid-hit 2020 season.

The Danish driver made two comebacks before being dropped for a third time overall, and a second time with Haas at the end of last season.

This year he is part of BMW's World Endurance Championship driver line-up. He is also competing in three endurance rounds of the IMSA Sportscar Championship, which began at the weekend with the Daytona 24 Hours in which he finished fourth.

After 185 grands prix, predominantly competing away from the sharp end of the grid, Magnussen has explained the over-riding aspect of competing in F1 that will stand him in good stead for the next phase of his career.

"It's that nothing can really faze you in terms of pressure," said Magnussen, speaking to RacingNews365.

"I've been under the most pressure you can be in motorsport, and over a long period of time.

"Formula 1 does that to you. You become a little unfazed by any sort of pressure situation."

Magnussen recognises the pressure he experienced, however, was in stark contrast to that of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in fighting for drivers' championships.

Magnussen made the podium only once in his F1 career, and that in his opening race with McLaren in Australia. For the most part, it was a slog to score points.

Referencing what Verstappen and Hamilton have endured over time, especially in 2021, Magnussen added: "That has to be a higher pressure, of course.

"Formula 1, as a category, is where you experience the most pressure.

"Of course, if you're fighting for the championship, you're going to feel even more pressure than anything I've felt.

"I'm sure those last laps in Abu Dhabi '21 for Max, there was a lot of pressure, and in some other situations like 2016 for Nico Rosberg and Hamilton, that kind of pressure I've never experienced.

"But when you go into other things in life, or whatever I do, compared to other people in my life, whatever situations they stress about, sometimes I just kind of feel, 'It's okay. Everything will be fine'."