Magnussen Reveals 2024 Challenges in Sixth-Place Fight

Haas F1 battles mounting challenges as Kevin Magnussen addresses uncertainties in securing sixth place for the 2024 Formula 1 season.

Nico Hülkenberg hopes to achieve another strong result in Las Vegas this weekend. The Haas F1 driver believes his VF-24 has solid potential, as the team aims to reclaim sixth place in the championship.

“There’s no reason to assume anything; every weekend we have to see how the car behaves on the asphalt. We’ll need to see how it reacts tomorrow, but in the second half of the season, we’ve been competitive. We’ll try to keep that momentum and maximize the final triple-header,” Hülkenberg said.

The German doesn’t necessarily believe in luck, though he admits it plays a role in motorsport: “Luck is important, but you sometimes create your own luck. It’s about timing, like with safety cars. It comes and goes, but the most important thing is to have a good car.”

Next year, Hülkenberg will partner with Gabriel Bortoleto at Stake and revealed he’s already spoken briefly with his future teammate: “I had a call with Mattia, and he was with him, so we talked briefly. I haven’t met him yet, but that will likely happen in the coming weeks.”

“He will bring talent and speed. He won as a rookie in F3, and he’s leading F2 as a rookie, which is impressive. He adapts well, which is also important in F1. I expect him to be strong. We have an experienced guy with me and a promising rookie with him, so it’s a strong duo.”

Kevin Magnussen, however, believes reclaiming sixth place in the championship will be challenging: “We can’t be confident at all. You know, we weren’t even thinking about Alpine in this battle, and suddenly they’re ahead of us. I think we feel like we’re in a good place with the car.”

“Recently, we’ve always been in the fight for points. Now that Aston Martin is struggling, there are points available at every race. It’s exciting. We’re now three teams competing for sixth place, which means a lot for the teams.”

“You know, whether you finish eighth or sixth, it’s not nothing. And yes, for a driver, of course, it’s not something you put on your CV, but it means so much to everyone that it’s worth fighting for.”

The Dane acknowledges the work Haas has done to improve the car for 2024, with positive results: “I think the upgrades we’ve made this year have been beneficial across the board.”

“They’ve made the car slightly faster over a lap, a bit easier to drive, and more effective with the tires. It’s just given the car a slightly broader window each time we’ve added something. So, it’s a very good job from the team.”

“That’s sort of the story of this year, I think. If you look at what we’ve improved the most, it’s how we’ve been able to develop the car throughout the season, whereas in most or almost all other years, we haven’t been able to do that.”

“I think we had a good car to start with because the whole team is available over the winter. They did a great job, but during the season, not so much. So, it’s a big step forward to see the improvements we’ve been able to make.”

Magnussen, who missed two of the last five races, is happy to be back in the car: “When you put it that way, it doesn’t sound like a lot! But it is a lot. I mean, yes, it’s strange… I’ve been watching too much Formula 1 on TV lately, and yes, it’ll be nice to get back, hopefully, into the race.”

Without a contract for 2025, he remains unconcerned about his future: “I’ve been in this situation twice before, and this is the third time I feel like it’s my last race. I know you never really know. In a way, that’s a good thing.”

“I don’t think much about it. Next year, I won’t be in Formula 1, that’s clear, but I’ve learned over the years and through my experiences that you just have to enjoy every race you do. And, you know, as long as it lasts, you need to make the most of it. That’s my plan.”

The relationship between Magnussen and Haas, which began in 2017, could nonetheless continue in another form, as discussed with team director Ayao Komatsu: “We’ve made it clear that we want to work together in some way.”

“We’re discussing how we might do that, of course. It’s something that comes a bit from Ayao, and I’m open to hearing what he thinks and seeing if I can be useful in any way.”