Kevin Magnussen, former Formulation 1 driver and sports activities automotive racing fanatic, made his debut with BMW Motorsport on the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona. As a part of the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8 staff, Magnussen mirrored in an unique interview with us on his transition to endurance racing, the distinctive challenges of the LMDh class, and his aspirations for this thrilling new chapter. We captured all of it within the video beneath, however here’s a fast abstract of the interview.
From Formulation 1 to Endurance Racing
Magnussen, after a decade in F1, was drawn to the competitiveness of recent endurance racing. “Sports activities automotive racing is in a improbable period proper now,” he instructed us. You take a look at Le Mans and see all these huge producers competing, and it’s simply so aggressive. It’s one thing I’ve wished to be a part of for a very long time. Rising up, I watched my dad race sports activities automobiles, and I’ve been keen about them ever since. Becoming a member of an enormous producer like BMW presently is a superb alternative.” Magnussen is not any stranger of endurance racing, together with a earlier stint at Daytona 24.
Adapting to the BMW M Hybrid V8
Driving the BMW M Hybrid V8 has been a studying expertise for Kevin. He described it as “very complicated” and in contrast to any automotive he’s pushed earlier than: “It’s type of a center floor between a GT automotive and a prototype. It’s heavy however has numerous downforce, so it feels distinctive. I’m nonetheless constructing confidence with the automotive and studying the techniques. Sharing the automotive additionally means much less observe time, so each lap counts. But it surely’s actually enjoyable to drive, and the racing is improbable.”
He additionally touched on the staff dynamics in comparison with Formulation 1: “Sharing the automotive is an enormous adjustment. In Formulation 1, you have got the automotive to your self. Right here, you must work carefully together with your teammates and compromise on issues like setup. It’s difficult, however I benefit from the collaboration.” Regardless of restricted time within the automotive earlier than the race, he confirmed a powerful tempo within the race, however unlucky circumstance put the #24 on the fourth place on the finish of Rolex 24.
Balancing IMSA and WEC Campaigns
Competing in each the IMSA and WEC championships presents distinctive challenges, however Kevin stays optimistic: “On the finish of the day, it’s the identical automotive, even when the groups and tracks are totally different. I’ve raced at a lot of the IMSA tracks from my time in 2021, and I do know most of the WEC tracks from my F1 days. After all, Le Mans is the race I’m most trying ahead to—it’s the top of sports activities automotive racing for me.”
Endurance Racing vs. Formulation 1
On the variations between Formulation 1 and endurance racing, Kevin highlighted the purer competitors in sports activities automobiles: “You could possibly say it’s extra equal. In endurance racing, there are extra automobiles with an actual likelihood of profitable, and the extent of competitors throughout the sphere is extremely sturdy. It’s powerful, however it’s thrilling to struggle for wins, poles, and podiums once more.”
Selecting Between Le Mans and Daytona
When requested if he would favor to win Le Mans or Daytona, Magnussen didn’t hesitate: “Le Mans, definitely. For me, it’s the largest sports activities automotive race on the planet and arguably the largest race total. That’s to not take something away from Daytona—this race is unbelievable, and it’s proper up there. However there’s simply one thing about Le Mans. It’s the historical past, the environment, and the status. Profitable at Le Mans is the dream.”
Magnussen’s ardour for the French endurance basic is deeply rooted in his childhood, having watched his father, Jan Magnussen, compete there. “I’ve been to Le Mans so many occasions rising up, and it’s at all times felt particular. To race there as a part of BMW and have the possibility to win it could be unbelievable.”
What’s Subsequent?
Kevin additionally shared his ideas on future challenges and aspirations: “Proper now, I’m centered on constructing my confidence with the automotive and studying its intricacies. I’m 32, so I nonetheless have numerous time in motorsport. I’d like to attempt races like Bathurst or Spa sooner or later, however for now, I’m absolutely dedicated to BMW and LMDh. Profitable Le Mans can be the final word objective—it’s the largest race on the planet for me.”
Watch the total interview on YouTube to listen to Kevin Magnussen’s ideas on endurance racing, his new partnership with BMW Motorsport, and his objectives for the season.
