Pre Race
QATAR ATTACK 
It’s time for the penultimate round of the 2024 Formula 1 season, and the Lusail International Circuit sets the stage for the battle between the 20 drivers, including Kevin Magnussen. The Danish race ace is a fan of Sprint Weekends, so what does he think about the upcoming event?
“Qatar is the hardest race of the year probably. It’s super high-speed and very unique in the sense that it’s more like a motorbike track rather than a Formula 1 track. It’s got a very particular flow to it; you’re never really braking in a straight line, you’re more kind of sailing. It’s the final Sprint of the year, so that’s always another thing to think about,” said Kevin.
The Admin By Request-powered Formula 1 driver finished P15 in Friday’s Sprint Qualifying, but despite being knocked out in SQ2, Kevin is quite positive about Saturday’s race.
“The car was pretty decent. I got pressured by traffic on my out-lap and ended up starting my lap right behind Nico, which wasn’t ideal – but the car was good, and we have a decent chance,” Kevin said.
DID YOU KNOW THAT … Qatar first joined Formula 1’s calendar in 2021, with the Lusail International Circuit stepping in when the championship required a replacement venue during the pandemic? It’s a high-speed circuit – across its 16-corner 5.4 km lap, only once do drivers need to dip below fourth gear. That puts high energy levels through the tires, a predicament exacerbated by the requirement to attack Lusail’s aggressive entry and exit curbs!
Race Day
BUCKLE UP, FOLKS
Kevin Magnussen will start the Qatar Grand Prix from 10th after a solid performance in Saturday’s qualifying on the Lusail International Circuit. Points in sight for the Danish Formula 1 driver?
“I hope so! It was great to make it into Q3 in qualifying, and I’m quite happy with the starting position. It’s a long race tomorrow, so hopefully, we can have the same pace as we did in the Sprint and score some points,” said Kevin Magnussen.
“The important thing is we’ve qualified ahead of Alpine and RB – that was the target. Gasly is right behind me, starting on the clean side of the grid, so it’s going to be a tight battle.”
Race Recap
“There’s still one race to go”
Mixed feelings for Kevin Magnussen after the Qatar Grand Prix, where the Dane drove a strong race, finished 9th, and gained two championship points. However, MoneyGram Haas F1 Team once again had to relinquish 6th place in the Constructors’ Championship to Alpine as Pierre Gasly finished P5. Magnussen controlled his rival in the early stages of the race, but an early pit stop followed by a safety car ruined the Dane’s chances of beating the Frenchman…
“I’m super gutted with the safety car coming out; it completely ruined the day for me. It was going well, and we had a good beginning to the race, but I just wish that safety car hadn’t come out because it really screwed us. It’s a setback for the team as we’re stepping down to P7 in the Constructors’ Championship. But there’s still one race to go, and we’ll go into it giving everything,” said Kevin Magnussen.
