Australian GP: F1 rookie Kevin Magnussen says podium like win
Kevin Magnussen believes finishing on the Australian Grand Prix podium on his Formula 1 debut with McLaren is like a victory for him and the team
The rookie starred during a hectic race, surviving a lurid moment within seconds of the start to run comfortably in the top three throughout and even pressure Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo for second in the final stint.
Australian GP reaction on AUTOSPORT Live
Having become the first Danish driver to stand on a grand prix podium, Magnussen admitted he could not have envisaged such a start to his F1 career - especially as his third place followed a rostrum-free 2013 for McLaren.
The Woking team now leads the constructors' championship courtesy of Jenson Button finishing one place back in fourth.
"I just can't believe it," Magnussen said. "It is a not a win but feels a bit like a win.
"The team is coming off a difficult season and they really wanted to come back.
"They have worked so hard over the winter, working with a rookie who hasn't got any experience - it has been tough for sure, but they have done such a good job and made me feel comfortable with everything.
"I couldn't ask for more."
Magnussen saved fuel with just a few laps remaining in an attempt to mount a final-lap assault on Ricciardo, and though it came to nothing the reigning Formula Renault 3.5 champion believes the new regulations have opened up more options for teams and drivers.
"You can do stuff with the engine, you can push and then back off, then harvest and go again," he added.
"It makes it exciting from the outside because it creates opportunities for overtaking, but it wasn't enough today, I didn't have enough pace to get past."
Previous article
Australian GP: Mercedes must work on reliability - Rosberg
Next article
Australian GP: No sanction for Kobayashi over Massa crash
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Kevin Magnussen |
| Author | Jonathan Noble |
Why Tsunoda can become Japan’s greatest F1 talent
While Japan's fever for motor racing is well-documented, the country has yet to produce a Formula 1 superstar – but that could be about to change, says BEN EDWARDS
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed
The diva that stole a march on F1’s wide-bodied opposition
In 2017 new F1 technical regulations were supposed to add drama - and peg Mercedes back. STUART CODLING looks at the car which, while troubled, set the stage for the wide-bodied Formula 1 era
The themes to watch in F1’s Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. BEN ANDERSON looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says NIGEL ROEBUCK
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of car-racing titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
