Kevin Magnussen Q&A: Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Formula 1 returns to Brazil for the São Paulo Grand Prix, Round 21 of the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. We know this is a track that you love, so what is it about the Autódromo José Carlos Pace that is so special? 

“First of all, it’s a unique track because it’s a like a go-kart track in that it’s very small and there’s this fast sort of flow in the track. Most of all it’s because there is so much history of Senna there, so if you’re a Senna fan, Brazil is a pretty special place.” 

 

It will be the third and final Sprint event of the season, with six set to feature next year. How do you think the team has fared at Sprint weekends this year and are there any changes that could be made to improve the format for teams and fans?

“I think we’ve done well, we’ve scored points at every Sprint so far and I actually quite like those weekends where you get into serious business, quickly. Three practice sessions are actually a lot, and these weekends show that you can get ready for qualifying with one practice. It’s the same for everyone, you deal with it, and it becomes normal. I think six next year is good but of course the workload for the team in the garage during these weekends is very high. From a driving perspective, it’s very cool.”

 

We know you’re a bit of a racing history buff – what elements of this track would you incorporate into future circuits, and where does Interlagos rate on the scale of ultimate tracks?

“I would probably take the first three corners, the Senna ‘esses’, but I also think it’s one of those where it’s very hard to replicate – you need the exact right camber and elevation, it’s unique. With the kerbs, these days many tracks get renovated with the same type of kerb, and I think it’s great when you go to places that have kerbs where you’re able to run on and that are unique.”

 

With only one Sprint and two races left in the season, and with the battle for eighth place in the Constructors’ Championship heating up with AlphaTauri, does it change your mindset when heading into the first corner on lap one or when fighting with another car side-by-side, knowing every point is crucial?

“I ran in the points in Austin and had that battle with Vettel at the end. It’s always when you lose a battle like that, you think back and find things you could’ve done slightly different and maybe I could’ve held him but there would’ve been more risk and at the end of the day, it was super important for us to get points, so it’s better to take those points than to gamble and risk it all.”