Kevin Magnussen Q&A: Belgian Grand Prix

The midfield is still tight, as evidenced by fifth-place Toro Rosso being 17 points away from Rich Energy Haas F1 Team. Can a run up the constructors’ ranks still happen in these last nine races?

“Of course, you’ve just got to put it all together and find the race pace and then we’ll be good.”

Does it almost feel like a new season when we show up at Spa after the summer shutdown because everyone has had the chance to rest and regroup to focus on these final nine races?

“It’s a bit of a rest for the whole team, especially for the mechanics and engineers. They need the break to get back home to their families and spend a bit of time away from racecars. When they come back, they’re recharged and ready to fight for another half of the season.”

Rain in Germany provided Formula One the opportunity to have a standing start on a wet track. It seemed race control did a thorough job of getting real-time feedback from drivers, and then the start took place without any major dramas. How did it all go from your standpoint, and knowing the weather is often a prominent fixture at Spa, could a wet standing start take place again?

“It wasn’t really a big problem in Germany. It all happened fine. Maybe the only thing they can think about is not running so many laps behind the safety car. We were just losing tire temperatures with that. Maybe just get it done earlier.”

Spa has been called a driver’s track. Why?

“I would just say it’s a track featuring high speeds, lots of corners, and if you put a perfect lap together there, you can make up time as the lap is so long. The races there are often quite entertaining because of the weather, and also because it’s a track where you can overtake. It’s a spectacular track.”

Spa is one of Formula One’s classic tracks. Much has been made of next year’s schedule, as well as future schedules, specifically balancing classic tracks like Spa with new venues like next year’s race in Vietnam. What’s your take on this issue, and what is the proper balance between holding onto Formula One’s history and crafting Formula One’s future?

“I’m a big fan of the old tracks because they have history and they have character. If you ask me, we should focus on just that. My fingers are crossed for some cool racetracks.” 

It looks like Formula One will have a 22-race schedule next year. Are teams at their limit when it comes to preseason testing and the current slate of 21 races, or can another race be added?

“I think it’s really tough on the race team because it’s a lot of time away from home. Of course, it’s a lot of time away for us as well, but we have it a bit easier. We get to sleep on those weekends, we don’t have to work 16-hour days like those guys. For them, it becomes tricky if more races are added.”