Magnussen clarifies interview comments, apologises to Gasly on Baku clash

Haas Formula 1 driver Kevin Magnussen has moved to clarify recent comments suggesting he is willing to “die” in a racing car. 

Magnussen was labelled as one of the most dangerous drivers Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly had ever raced against after the pair clashed in a high-speed incident following the final Safety Car restart in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. 

In an interview with Reuters conducted before the Baku race, the Dane said he would be willing to put everything on the line to succeed in F1.

Magnussen clarified his comments in a post on Twitter, in which he also revealed he has apologised to Gasly “many times” about the incident in the closing stages of last weekend’s race. 

“The interview was done before the race in Baku and is not minded on the incident with Pierre in the race," explained Magnussen. “I didn't squeeze Pierre on purpose and have apologised to him many times over the incident. 

“I don't want to die in a race car. I was expressing my willingness to give absolutely everything in my power to achieve success. Success to me obviously isn't having accidents or getting penalties but finishing races in as high a position as possible.”

He added his recent remarks where made simply because he is so determined to achieve success in his F1 career, which he said he has “put his whole life into”. 

”I am living my childhood dream of racing in Formula 1 and I've put my whole life into achieving that dream.

"It is only natural for me to be giving absolutely everything I've got, to achieve success in racing and the day I no longer do that I will retire from racing immediately."