Magnussen: Tricky to make father/son Le Mans deal happen now
Kevin Magnussen believes it will be difficult to race with his father, Jan, at the Le Mans 24 Hours now he is no longer a factory driver.
Former Haas Formula 1 driver Magnussen will move into sportscar racing for the 2021 season after signing for Chip Ganassi Racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Magnussen has previously spoken of a desire to team up with his father for a Le Mans entry. Jan Magnussen has entered the race every year since 1999, and was part of Corvette's line-up between 2004 and 2019.
Magnussen Jr. revealed there had been some opportunities to race together during his father's time at Corvette, but now felt it would be tricky to make it happen.
"We've always wanted to do it, but I think it's become more difficult now that my dad isn't a factory driver," Magnussen said when asked by Motorsport.com about the chances of a deal.
"When he was a Corvette driver, there was some opportunities to do it, because Corvette could place me in the car for Le Mans.
"It became impossible with just logistics and time, because you need to prepare. Also it's difficult for Corvette to put one driver in the car for Le Mans, and not the same driver for the other big races that year.
"Now that he's not a factory driver, we have to do it in like an LMP2 [car] or a GTE-Am, which is difficult because we're both platinum drivers. That can be difficult with driver status, whatever this system is. It's a bit complicated in terms of that.
"I don't know if we can do it. Now I'm going to be racing and trying to get good deals for myself, and hopefully in factory teams in the future.
"It could get tricky with my dad. But we'll always keep an eye open for it."
Magnussen Sr. last won his class at Le Mans in 2009 with Corvette, and recorded podiums in GTE-Pro for the American marque in both 2014 and 2017.
He stepped down to the GTE Am class after leaving Corvette for this year's race, finishing sixth for JMW Motorsport in a Ferrari 488 GTE Evo.
Related video
Leaping into the unknown at Le Mans with Richard Mille Racing
The visionaries promoting female talent at Le Mans
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?
Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1? Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Jan Magnussen to make Le Mans return in LMP2 class
Jan Magnussen to make Le Mans return in LMP2 class Jan Magnussen to make Le Mans return in LMP2 class
Kevin Magnussen to partner father Jan in Rolex 24
Kevin Magnussen to partner father Jan in Rolex 24 Kevin Magnussen to partner father Jan in Rolex 24
Magnussen Sr and Jr to share a Ferrari in Gulf 12 Hours
Magnussen Sr and Jr to share a Ferrari in Gulf 12 Hours Magnussen Sr and Jr to share a Ferrari in Gulf 12 Hours
F1 needs stewards rethink to replace ‘"laymen" decisions, demands Steiner
F1 needs stewards rethink to replace ‘"laymen" decisions, demands Steiner F1 needs stewards rethink to replace ‘"laymen" decisions, demands Steiner
Albon: Losing chicane that “ruined” Spain will improve racing
Albon: Losing chicane that “ruined” Spain will improve racing Albon: Losing chicane that “ruined” Spain will improve racing
Spanish GP: F1 technical images from the pitlane explained
Spanish GP: F1 technical images from the pitlane explained Spanish GP: F1 technical images from the pitlane explained
McLaren sets launch target for "noticeably different" F1 car upgrade
McLaren sets launch target for "noticeably different" F1 car upgrade McLaren sets launch target for "noticeably different" F1 car upgrade
How Jota hopes its customer Porsche can become a Le Mans icon
How Jota hopes its customer Porsche can become a Le Mans icon How Jota hopes its customer Porsche can become a Le Mans icon
Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans?
Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans? Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans?
Why Cadillac can make amends for its previous Le Mans failures
Why Cadillac can make amends for its previous Le Mans failures Why Cadillac can make amends for its previous Le Mans failures
The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right
The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right
The lesser-remembered sportscar exploits of BMW's two-trick pony
The lesser-remembered sportscar exploits of BMW's two-trick pony The lesser-remembered sportscar exploits of BMW's two-trick pony
How Porsche's Le Mans legend changed the game
How Porsche's Le Mans legend changed the game How Porsche's Le Mans legend changed the game
Why BMW shouldn't be overlooked on its return to prototypes
Why BMW shouldn't be overlooked on its return to prototypes Why BMW shouldn't be overlooked on its return to prototypes
How Formula E's double-duty drivers got on at Le Mans
How Formula E's double-duty drivers got on at Le Mans How Formula E's double-duty drivers got on at Le Mans
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.