Kevin Magnussen, former System 1 driver and sports activities automotive racing fanatic, made his debut with BMW Motorsport on the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona. As a part of the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8 crew, Magnussen mirrored in an unique interview with us on his transition to endurance racing, the distinctive challenges of the LMDh class, and his aspirations for this thrilling new chapter. We captured all of it within the video under, however here’s a fast abstract of the interview.
From System 1 to Endurance Racing
Magnussen, after a decade in F1, was drawn to the competitiveness of recent endurance racing. “Sports activities automotive racing is in a incredible period proper now,” he informed us. You have a look at Le Mans and see all these large producers competing, and it’s simply so aggressive. It’s one thing I’ve needed to be a part of for a very long time. Rising up, I watched my dad race sports activities vehicles, and I’ve been enthusiastic about them ever since. Becoming a member of an enormous producer like BMW presently is a superb alternative.” Magnussen isn’t any stranger of endurance racing, together with a earlier stint at Daytona 24.
Adapting to the BMW M Hybrid V8
Driving the BMW M Hybrid V8 has been a studying expertise for Kevin. He described it as “very complicated” and in contrast to any automotive he’s pushed earlier than: “It’s form of a center floor between a GT automotive and a prototype. It’s heavy however has quite a lot of downforce, so it feels distinctive. I’m nonetheless constructing confidence with the automotive and studying the methods. Sharing the automotive additionally means much less monitor time, so each lap counts. Nevertheless it’s actually enjoyable to drive, and the racing is incredible.”
He additionally touched on the crew dynamics in comparison with System 1: “Sharing the automotive is an enormous adjustment. In System 1, you’ve got the automotive to your self. Right here, it’s important to work intently along with your teammates and compromise on issues like setup. It’s difficult, however I benefit from the collaboration.” Regardless of restricted time within the automotive earlier than the race, he confirmed a powerful tempo within the race, however unlucky circumstance put the #24 on the fourth place on the finish of Rolex 24.
Balancing IMSA and WEC Campaigns
Competing in each the IMSA and WEC championships presents distinctive challenges, however Kevin stays optimistic: “On the finish of the day, it’s the identical automotive, even when the groups and tracks are totally different. I’ve raced at many of the IMSA tracks from my time in 2021, and I do know lots of the WEC tracks from my F1 days. After all, Le Mans is the race I’m most wanting ahead to—it’s the head of sports activities automotive racing for me.”
Endurance Racing vs. System 1
On the variations between System 1 and endurance racing, Kevin highlighted the purer competitors in sports activities vehicles: “You can say it’s extra equal. In endurance racing, there are extra vehicles with an actual likelihood of successful, and the extent of competitors throughout the sphere is extremely robust. It’s powerful, but it surely’s thrilling to struggle for wins, poles, and podiums once more.”
Selecting Between Le Mans and Daytona
When requested if he would favor to win Le Mans or Daytona, Magnussen didn’t hesitate: “Le Mans, definitely. For me, it’s the largest sports activities automotive race on the planet and arguably the largest race general. That’s to not take something away from Daytona—this race is unbelievable, and it’s proper up there. However there’s simply one thing about Le Mans. It’s the historical past, the environment, and the status. Successful at Le Mans is the dream.”
Magnussen’s ardour for the French endurance basic is deeply rooted in his childhood, having watched his father, Jan Magnussen, compete there. “I’ve been to Le Mans so many occasions rising up, and it’s all the time felt particular. To race there as a part of BMW and have the possibility to win it could be unbelievable.”
What’s Subsequent?
Kevin additionally shared his ideas on future challenges and aspirations: “Proper now, I’m centered on constructing my confidence with the automotive and studying its intricacies. I’m 32, so I nonetheless have quite a lot of time in motorsport. I’d like to strive races like Bathurst or Spa sooner or later, however for now, I’m totally dedicated to BMW and LMDh. Successful Le Mans could be the last word purpose—it’s the largest race on the planet for me.”
Watch the complete interview on YouTube to listen to Kevin Magnussen’s ideas on endurance racing, his new partnership with BMW Motorsport, and his targets for the season.
