Kevin Magnussen Q&A: Miami Grand Prix

Round 5 of the 2023 FIA Formula 1 World Championship brings Haas onto home turf for the Miami Grand Prix. A race that has already become a flagship event on the calendar in only its second year, what does it feel like for you returning? 

“The Miami Grand Prix is one of these new races in the US that kind of feels like a new type of Formula 1 event, where it’s taken to the next level. It’s very unique, it’s very hyped, there’s a lot of new things about it and I also think the track is fun.”

 

The first of three home races this year, do these weeks feel particularly heightened and is there an extra excitement or motivation knowing you’re in front of the team’s home crowd?

“There’s more activities during a US Grand Prix weekend being the only American team, plus having an American title sponsor. It’s also one of the races where we really want to do well in front of our home crowd, and also in front of many of our sponsor’s home fans as well. It’s the closest I get to a home race in a way because there isn’t a Danish Grand Prix and the closest I get is the team’s home race and I count that as ours. Luckily we have three of those and hopefully we can do well at all three.”

You said last year it was one of the hardest races you’ve ever driven – what are the challenges for drivers when navigating the Miami International Autodrome? 

“Last year was very hot and humid and also it’s a physical track. It’s not the most physical track in terms of the layout, but it is tough and with the weather on top it was so hard. I think it’s a tricky place to put a Formula 1 track and they’ve managed to make something that’s fun. The timing is very unique and last year it was being repaired over the weekend so it changed a lot during the weekend. There were some big adaptations you had to make to your driving style for those repairs. Sector 1 is fun, it’s the fast part of the track – with the esses and tricky braking in Turns 7 and 8 before the straight – but the most challenging part is the slower section under the bridge before the last long straight.”