Despite a tumultuous past, Magnussen intends to collaborate with Hülkenberg
Nico Hülkenberg will make yet another comeback in Formula 1 this season, joining the Haas team, this time as a full-time driver. Paired with Kevin Magnussen, the latter doesn't feel any pressure to establish a relationship with his new teammate.
The F1 transfer market in 2022 was very lively and the American team, Haas F1 Team, also made its mark by announcing after the Abu Dhabi finale that Nico Hülkenberg would be joining the team for 2023, replacing Mick Schumacher. He will therefore be partnering with Kevin Magnussen.
A turbulent relationship between the two men.
The past between the two teammates of this season is very real, with the highlight being a confrontation that dates back to 2017 on the Hungarian track. The two men clashed in front of the cameras.
After the race, Magnussen was in the middle of an interview with Danish television when Hülkenberg approached him, tapped him on the shoulder, and said, “Once again, the least sportsmanlike driver on the grid.”
Magnussen then retorted with a phrase that followed him afterwards: « **** my balls », with no possible translation due to ethical obligations.
Since Nico Hülkenberg had replaced Sebastian Vettel at Aston Martin at the beginning of last season, and upon meeting, the two men buried their differences.
Some time before the announcement of the German’s signing with Haas, Magnussen had commented on having no issues with his future teammate.
“We were never close, in the past or anything,” he expressed. “But in Bahrain, we met at the airport, as if it was the first time. Many people think we have animosities, but that’s really not the case.”
2023: A new chapter for the two men.
Haas has set its sights on Hülkenberg for this new season, aiming to have a more experienced and capable driver after Mick Schumacher’s relatively challenging season last year, where he made more mistakes than Magnussen.
He indicated that he would maintain an open approach, as he had with Schumacher despite Hülkenberg’s experience, and he felt no pressure at all to ensure that their relationship works.
“I don’t think you need to be best friends,” he said. “I mean, who knows, maybe we’ll become best friends, who knows! But there’s no pressure to build something off the track.”
« I respect him as a pilot, and I think that’s the only thing that matters. I’m going to get to know him now as a person. I’ve never really been close to him or gotten to know him as a person. »
« But this part doesn’t really matter. I’m sure we will work well together as teammates on and off the track.
