Kevin Magnussen facts for kids
{{Infobox person | name = Kevin Magnussen | image = Kevin Magnussen, 2019 Formula One Tests Barcelona (cropped).jpg | caption = Magnussen in 2019 | birth_name = Kevin Jan Magnussen | birth_date = 5 October 1992 | birth_place = Roskilde, Denmark | spouse =
| children = 2 | parents = Jan Magnussen (father) | relatives = Dennis Lind (cousin) | website =
| module = | module2 = | module3 =
Kevin Jan Magnussen (born 5 October 1992) is a Danish racing driver. He has raced in Formula One from 2014 to 2024. Kevin is now set to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA SportsCar Championship for BMW.
Kevin grew up in Roskilde, Denmark. His father, Jan Magnussen, was also a Formula One driver and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times. Kevin started his racing journey in karting. In 2008, he won his first championship in the Danish Formula Ford Championship. He then raced in other junior series like Formula Renault NEC and British Formula 3 International Series. In 2013, Kevin won the Formula Renault 3.5 championship with the DAMS team.
Kevin joined the McLaren Young Driver Programme in 2010. He made his Formula One debut with McLaren in 2014. In his very first race, the 2014 Australian Grand Prix, he finished second. This was a great start for a new driver! After leaving McLaren, Kevin raced for Renault in 2016. He then joined the Haas team from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, he had his best season, finishing ninth in the championship.
In 2021, Kevin raced in the IMSA SportsCar Championship and won a race called the Detroit Classic. He also raced in one IndyCar Series event and the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans. Kevin returned to Haas in 2022. He achieved his first ever pole position at the 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix. He continued with Haas in 2023 and 2024. Kevin will move back to sportscar racing in 2025 as a factory driver for BMW.
Contents
| Formula One World Championship career | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationality |  Danish |
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| Active years | 2014–2020, 2022–2024 | ||||||
| Teams | McLaren, Renault, Haas | ||||||
| Car number | 20 | ||||||
| Entries | 187 (185 starts) | ||||||
| Championships | 0 | ||||||
| Wins | 0 | ||||||
| Podiums | 1 | ||||||
| Career points | 202 | ||||||
| Pole positions | 1 | ||||||
| Fastest laps | 3 | ||||||
| First entry | 2014 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||
| Last entry | 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | ||||||
| 2024 position | 15th (16 pts) | ||||||
| IndyCar Series career | |||||||
| 1 race run over 1 year | |||||||
| Best finish | 42nd (2021) | ||||||
| First race | 2021 REV Group Grand Prix at Road America (Road America) | ||||||
| Last race | 2021 REV Group Grand Prix at Road America (Road America) | ||||||
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| Previous series | |||||||
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| Championship titles | |||||||
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About Kevin Magnussen
Kevin Jan Magnussen was born in Roskilde, Denmark, on October 5, 1992. His father, Jan Magnussen, was also a Formula One driver. Kevin's cousin, Dennis Lind, is also a racing driver.
While racing for McLaren, Kevin lived in Woking, England. In 2019, he married Louise Gjørup. They have two daughters, born in 2021 and 2023. Kevin now lives in Copenhagen with his family.
Kevin's Early Racing Career
Karting and Junior Races
Kevin started his racing career in karting. This is where many famous drivers begin.
In 2008, he moved to Formula Ford in Denmark. He won 11 out of 15 races and became the champion. He also raced in the ADAC Formel Masters series. For a short time, Kevin had to work as a welder because he couldn't find enough money to continue racing.
In 2009, Kevin moved to Formula Renault 2.0. He finished second in the Northern European Cup. He also placed seventh in the Eurocup.
Formula Three Racing
In 2010, Kevin raced in the German Formula Three Championship. He won three races and finished third overall. He was also named the best rookie (new driver) that year.
In 2011, Kevin joined the British Formula 3 Championship. He won seven races and finished second in the championship. He also came third in the Masters of Formula 3 race.
Formula Renault 3.5 Success
In 2012, Kevin moved up to the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. He won one race and finished seventh in the championship. He stayed in the series for 2013 and had a fantastic year. He won five races, got on the podium 13 times, and took eight pole positions. Kevin became the champion, showing he was ready for bigger challenges.
Kevin's Formula One Journey
Kevin was part of the McLaren Young Driver Programme from 2010 to 2013. He first drove a Formula One car in a test in 2012. He impressed the McLaren team with his speed. This test helped him get his special racing license called the FIA Super Licence.
Racing for McLaren (2014–2015)
2014 Season
Kevin became a full-time driver for McLaren in 2014. He chose car number 20 because he won the Formula Renault 3.5 championship with that number.
In his very first race in Australia, he qualified fourth. He finished third in the race, but was later moved up to second place. This made him the first new driver since Jacques Villeneuve in 1996 to finish second in their first Grand Prix. Kevin said it felt "like a victory." He scored points in many other races that year, often finishing in the top ten.
2015 Season
For the 2015 season, Fernando Alonso took Kevin's racing spot at McLaren. Kevin became a test and reserve driver. He raced in one event, the 2015 Australian Grand Prix, when Alonso couldn't race. However, Kevin's car had an engine problem before the race even started. McLaren released Kevin at the end of 2015.
Racing for Renault (2016)
In 2016, Kevin joined the Renault team. Renault was returning to Formula One after a few years away.
His season with Renault had some tough moments. He had a few crashes and mechanical problems. However, he finished seventh in the 2016 Russian Grand Prix, which was Renault's best result that year. He also scored points by finishing tenth in Singapore. Kevin ended the season in 16th place in the championship.
Racing for Haas (2017–2020, 2022–2024)
2017 Season
Kevin signed with the Haas for the 2017 season. He scored points in his second race with Haas, finishing eighth in China. He also finished seventh in Azerbaijan, which was his best result that year.
He had a few more points finishes, but also some retirements due to car problems. Kevin finished the season 14th in the championship with 19 points.
2018 Season
Kevin stayed with Haas for 2018. The Haas car was much better this year. In the first race in Australia, he started fifth, which was Haas's best ever starting position. However, both Haas cars had to stop racing due to problems during pit stops.
Kevin finished fifth in Bahrain and Austria. He also had other strong finishes, including two sixth places. At the Singapore race, he set the fastest lap, which was a first for him and the team. He finished the season ninth in the championship with 56 points, his best ever result.
2019 Season
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Kevin continued with Haas in 2019. The car was fast in qualifying but struggled during races. He finished sixth in the first race in Australia, which was his best finish of the season.
He scored points again in Spain (seventh place) and Germany (eighth place). In Britain, he and his teammate crashed into each other, which was a tough moment for the team. He finished the season 16th in the championship with 20 points.
2020 Season
Kevin raced for Haas again in 2020. The car was not very competitive. In the 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix, Kevin managed to finish tenth and score one point. This was the only point for him and Haas that year.
Kevin and his teammate left the Haas team at the end of the 2020 season.
2022: Return and First Pole Position
Kevin made a surprise return to Haas in 2022! He replaced another driver who left the team. In his first race back in Bahrain, he started seventh and finished fifth. This was a great comeback.
At the 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix, Kevin achieved his first ever pole position in Formula One. This means he started the race from the very front of the grid. It was a huge moment for him and the Haas team. He finished the season 13th in the championship with 25 points.
2023 Season
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Kevin raced with Nico Hülkenberg for Haas in 2023. The car was difficult to drive, especially with how it used its tires. Kevin scored points three times, finishing tenth in Saudi Arabia, Miami, and Singapore. He ended the season with 3 points.
2024 Season
Kevin and Nico Hülkenberg continued with Haas in 2024. He finished tenth in Australia, helping Haas score points with both cars. At the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, he was involved in a crash on the first lap.
Kevin announced he would leave Haas at the end of the 2024 season. He received a one-race ban after the 2024 Italian Grand Prix due to too many penalty points. This meant he missed the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He was the first driver since his former teammate Romain Grosjean in 2012 to be banned from a Formula One race.
2025 Plans
In 2025, Kevin will continue to work with Haas. He will help test older cars and work as a simulator driver for Toyota, which has a partnership with Haas.
Other Racing Adventures
Sportscar Racing
2015 and 2021
In 2015, Kevin tested a Porsche race car, but he decided to stay in Formula One. In 2021, he raced in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. He won his first race in this series at the Detroit Grand Prix.
He also raced in the famous 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans with his father, Jan Magnussen.
2022 and 2023
Kevin was supposed to race for Peugeot in the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship. However, he returned to Formula One with Haas, so he left those contracts. After the 2022 Formula One season, Kevin raced with his father again at the Gulf 12 Hours.
In 2023, he was set to race with his father at the 2023 24 Hours of Daytona, but he had to withdraw because he needed hand surgery.
2025 Plans
Kevin will become a factory driver for BMW in 2025. He will race in either the IMSA SportsCar Championship or the FIA World Endurance Championship.
IndyCar Racing
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In June 2021, Kevin raced in one IndyCar Series event. He filled in for an injured driver at the Grand Prix of Road America. He had to stop racing during the event due to mechanical problems.
Awards and Special Mentions
- Lorenzo Bandini Trophy: 2022 (This award is given to a racing driver who has shown great promise and performance.)
- Crypto.com Overtake of the Month: May 2023 (This award is for the best overtake in a Formula One race.)
Kevin's Racing History
Career Summary
| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Danish Formula Ford Championship | Fukamuni Racing | 15 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 267 | 1st |
| Formula Ford Duratec Benelux | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 19th | ||
| Formula Ford Festival – Duratec Class | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 7th | ||
| Formula Ford NEZ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 27 | 4th | ||
| ADAC Formel Masters | Van Amersfoort Racing | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 30 | 12th | |
| Formula Renault 2.0 Portugal Winter Series | Motopark Academy | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 10th | |
| 2009 | Formula Renault 2.0 NEC | Motopark Academy | 14 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 278 | 2nd |
| Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 50 | 7th | ||
| Renault Clio Cup Denmark | ? | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 12th | |
| 2010 | German Formula 3 Championship | Motopark Academy | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 96 | 3rd |
| Formula 3 Euro Series | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 12th | ||
| 2011 | British Formula 3 Championship | Carlin | 29 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 237 | 2nd |
| Masters of Formula 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | N/A | 3rd | ||
| Macau Grand Prix | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 14th | ||
| 2012 | Formula Renault 3.5 Series | Carlin | 17 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 106 | 7th |
| Danish Thundersport Championship | Fukamuni Racing | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | NC | |
| 2013 | Formula Renault 3.5 Series | DAMS | 17 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 13 | 274 | 1st |
| 2014 | Formula One | McLaren Mercedes | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 55 | 11th |
| 2015 | Formula One | McLaren Honda | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC |
| Reserve driver | |||||||||
| 2016 | Formula One | Renault Sport F1 Team | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 16th |
| 2017 | Formula One | Haas F1 Team | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 14th |
| 2018 | Formula One | Haas F1 Team | 21 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 56 | 9th |
| 2019 | Formula One | Haas F1 Team | 21 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 16th |
| 2020 | Formula One | Haas F1 Team | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 20th |
| 2021 | IMSA SportsCar Championship - DPI | Cadillac Chip Ganassi Racing | 10 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2879 | 7th |
| IndyCar Series | Arrow McLaren SP | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 42nd | |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans - LMP2 | High Class Racing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 17th | |
| 2022 | Formula One | Haas F1 Team | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 13th |
| IMSA SportsCar Championship - DPi | Cadillac Chip Ganassi Racing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 275 | 23rd | |
| Intercontinental GT Challenge | AF Corse - MDK Motorsports | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 18th | |
| 2023 | Formula One | MoneyGram Haas F1 Team | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 19th |
| 2024 | Formula One | MoneyGram Haas F1 Team | 23 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 16th |
| 2025 | FIA World Endurance Championship | BMW M Team WRT | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | * |
| IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTP | BMW M Team RLL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | * | |
See also
In Spanish: Kevin Magnussen para niños
