Kevin Magnussen Q&A: Mexico City Grand Prix

Stop two on this triple-header is the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Mexico City Grand Prix. It’s a race with a lot of cultural flavor and atmosphere, what is it about this race that you look forward to?

“The Mexico City Grand Prix is a unique race with a fantastic atmosphere. The Mexican fans are really passionate – the Foro Sol stadium section is very special – and also technically with the high altitude and low ambient pressure, it’s a unique challenge with the set-up of the car.”

You’ll be stepping aside for Oliver Bearman in FP1 this weekend. What testing time did you get in an F1 car before getting a full-time drive and how important is it that the next generation of Formula 1 driver gets time in a car? 

“I had a couple of test days in a Formula 1 car before racing full-time. Back then, there was a young driver test in the middle or at the end of the season, but there were no FP1s back then dedicated to rookies, so I think that’s a good thing for new drivers coming in that the rules have changed.”

 

Nico will be marking his 200^th grand prix start this weekend. How impressive is it in this era of Formula 1 to reach such a milestone?

“200 is a lot and it’s an impressive number to have in your career. Even having done one Formula 1 grand prix is an achievement, so to have 200 in your career is great. There are many drivers always knocking on the door and putting pressure on to replace you as an F1 driver, so it is very impressive to have been around for that long.”