Magnussen: Reputation for Hulkenberg comment "annoying"
Kevin Magnussen says the reputation for his media pen comment to Nico Hulkenberg in 2017 became "annoying", and is not something he will remember from his Formula 1 career.
Magnussen made what he expects to be his final appearance in F1 at last year's season finale in Abu Dhabi after being released by Haas ahead of the 2021 season.
The Dane has since moved to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and will make his debut for Chip Ganassi Racing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona later this month.
Magnussen gained a reputation throughout his F1 career for his forthright and honest nature, with an incident regularly recalled by fans occurring at the 2017 Hungarian Grand Prix.
After being forced onto the grass by Magnussen when battling for position, Hulkenberg approached the Haas driver in the media pen after the race, interrupting an interview to call him "once again the most unsporting driver on the grid".
Magnussen snapped back at Hulkenberg, saying: "Suck my balls, mate", with the phrase since being remembered widely among F1 fans.
Magnussen said that while he has glad he had "not tried to hide the person that I am" and had "been able to stay true to myself" through his F1 career, he did not understand why he had gained such a reputation for the comment.
"This thing with Hulkenberg has stuck with me, and it's something that is becoming almost annoying to be talking about," Magnussen told Motorsport.com.
"There are other things that I'll remember. That one thing has gained a lot of attention, but it's not something I will remember from my F1 career.
"The majority of people tend to focus in and stick with one event, like with me and Nico. It's something that I don't ever think about, but it's stuck with me.
"It's now four years ago, and I still get asked about it. It's like, why is that what people remember? It's hard for me to really understand.
"I remember more the sporting events and things that happened on track."
Magnussen spent four seasons with Haas, helping the team to finish fifth in the constructors' championship in 2018 and beat a number of better-funded rivals.
Although Magnussen said it was "really enjoyable" fighting the likes of McLaren, Williams, Renault and Toro Rosso on a much leaner budget, his strongest sporting memory from his time in F1 remained his debut podium at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix.
"It was the realisation of your dream, it all coming true - that first race is something I'll never forget, that whole weekend," Magnussen said.
"I got on the podium as well. I was just scared of waking up. It was like I was scared that it was all a dream.
"It was so surreal to finally be experiencing what I've been dreaming about all my childhood."
Related video
Previous article
Norris felt 'perfect combo' of rivalry/friendship with Sainz
Next article
Former Mercedes boss Hubbert dies aged 81
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Author | Luke Smith |
How Do Drivers Stay Fit For F1 Grand Prix?
Ronnie Peterson and Jochen Rindt Tribute
#ThinkingForward with Juan Pablo Montoya
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. Ben Anderson looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says Nigel Roebuck.
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Is Formula 1 as good as it has ever been now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle.
How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his teammate's F1 career climb
Kimi Raikkonen's emergence as a Formula 1 star in his rookie campaign remains one of the legendary storylines from 2001, but his exploits had an unwanted impact on his Sauber teammate's own prospects. Twenty years on from his first F1 podium at the Brazilian GP, here's how Nick Heidfeld's career was chilled by the Iceman.
The nightmare timing that now hinders Mercedes
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton took victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite, for a change, not having the quickest car. But any hopes of developing its W12 to surpass Red Bull's RB16B in terms of outright speed could not have come at a worse time.
