Magnussen: “I didn’t realize how much I missed it”
Kevin Magnussen is making his grand return to Formula 1, one year after leaving it. The Danish driver has talked about the reasons that made him come back to Haas, his former team.
On the aftermath of [official: Kevin Magnussen replaces Nikita Mazepin at Haas](https://www.example.com/f1/news/26487-official-kevin-magnussen-replaces-nikita-mazepin-at-haas.html)
“> Following the announcement of his unexpected return to Haas, Kevin Magnussen opened up to Autosport about the reasons that led him to come back to F1.”
When I left Formula 1, I could have stayed with another team but it would have been a mess with many sponsors. I didn’t really have the motivation anymore. I lost it after spending two years at the back of the pack. I only did it for two years, but before I was in the middle and it was a lot of fun. Those two years were difficult in terms of motivation. After that, I left, explored other categories, achieved podiums, pole positions, victories, and it was amazing.
The Danish driver came back on Günther Steiner’s phone call, which pushed him to return. I was having a lot of fun and then Günther called me and ruined everything! I felt in my stomach that I wanted [to come back]. I didn’t think I missed it that much, but when I had the opportunity, I said to myself, “yes”.
Günther called me for the first time a week ago, I was about to go on vacation to the United States with my family before [The 12 Hours of] Sebring. I decided to go anyway, thinking “we’ll see if it happens or not”. Günther called me back and said “it’s good”, so I came back. There were quite a few things to sort out, of course. I was under contract with Peugeot and Chip Ganassi Racing, with whom I was supposed to do the 12 Hours of Sebring next weekend. But they were really nice to let me leave that agreement.
The Danish is optimistic about his new environment. Günther told me how motivated the team is and I feel like they’re in good shape, it’s very exciting. I really wanted to come back. I can feel it now. Magnussen is reuniting with Haas, with whom he raced between 2017 and 2020, after a stint at Renault in 2016 and two years with McLaren in 2014 and 2015.
