Kevin Magnussen believes he could have qualified fifth on the grid for the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix , but his neck problems worsened in Q3 and he had to settle for tenth.
After a year out of F1, Magnussen has had very limited time to improve his fitness to the required level, as he was not given Haas’ seat until the last minute, after Mazepin was dismissed due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Although he had no real problems on the first round in Bahrain, the forces involved in driving an F1 car on the Jeddah track pushed him to the limit in qualifying this Saturday.
Even that he might have been in more trouble had his mileage on Friday not been limited by car problems in practice.
“I’m glad I didn’t have that preparation because my neck would already be shattered before qualifying,” he said.
“My neck was broken in Q3, I just couldn’t drive anymore, so it’s tough. When you’ve been out of an F1 car for a year and on a track like this – a great track, I don’t say anything bad about the circuit. – I’m just not ready for it.”
“I’m glad to have one of the best physical therapists in the world here with me, Thomas [Jorgensen], and I hope he can work his magic.”
Magnussen admitted that as the race progresses he is likely to have to lean more heavily on the headrest, something that already happened in Q3.
“You put your head on the headrest, but you lose a lot of feeling with the car, and also visually you’re looking in the wrong direction, so it’s not good at all.”
“And that’s what I’ve been forced to do because my neck wouldn’t hold. So yeah, the car was great, I think P5 was within reach with this car, but I could only be P10.”
“I’ve never driven on this circuit and I’ve only done three laps in 2nd free practice and then I did a normal third free practice. That’s not the best but as I said I really like the track and I adapted quickly.
Magnussen also admitted that it would be frustrating if a career that could go well was compromised by pain.
“Yes, because I think this is one of my circuits and also the car is fantastic here. I hope I can be in good shape tomorrow and I will just have to get all the will to fight that I have tomorrow in the race,” he said.
“In the race it goes a bit slower so it helps a lot, it’s these speeds, Turns 6 and 7, and 8 and 9, it’s just hell when you haven’t driven an F1 car for a year.
Magnussen also said he was concerned when he came across Mick Schumacher’s crashed car in Q2, and slowed down to check on his teammate.
“When you see where he lost it and how he hit it, the angle was really bad and it’s just concrete. And you can see the whole car was smashed.”
“So it must have been a crazy accident for him, and it’s crazy that he can get out of an accident like that like that. I’m very grateful for the safety of these cars and that we’ll be able to talk to Mick tonight and pat him on the back.” the shoulder. It’s fantastic.”
Asked about track safety concerns, he said: “I’m not the right person to ask. This is racing, this is it. When you see crashes like that, it hurts a lot and it’s terrible to watch. a guy there that you don’t know how he’s doing, and it’s a relief when you hear he’s fine.”
“But honestly this is one of the best tracks I’ve ever driven. And I wouldn’t change it. Of course, if we could make it safer, great. But I don’t know.”
