Magnussen ‘no stress’ with Haas 2019 F1 option

Kevin Magnussen says he’s feeling no pressure regarding his Formula 1 future with Haas holding a contract extension option to keep him at the team for 2019.

The Danish driver secured another healthy helping of points last time out in France with sixth place for Haas to see the US team move to within one point of Force India for sixth in the F1 world constructors’ championship.

Despite 2018 marking his fifth season in F1, Magnussen is enjoying his first campaign staying in the same position he was in last year and feels that consistency and familiarity is paying off having taken four points finishes from the opening eight rounds.

Magussen has confirmed Haas holds a contract clause which it could active to retain him for the 2019 season and as a result he feels comfortable with his F1 future.

“[There is] no news,” Magnussen said when quizzed about his F1 future. “I think they [Haas] have got an option on me so I don’t think there’s much chance of me going anywhere else. We will just take it as it comes, there’s no stress at the moment.

“In Formula 1 I haven’t had this good and competitive car since my first year with McLaren and it’s really good, it’s a lot more fun going racing when you have a car which can fight for points and top fives on a good day.

“I am enjoying it a lot and I think part of the reason is obviously the car is better but this is my second year at Haas as well and it’s the first time in my career, my whole career even before Formula 1, that I spend the second year in the same team.

“It’s a big advantage knowing everyone and more so having that experience together. Every race when you going into the race preparing you can look back at a same race with the same people, almost the same car so there’s a lot of experience there in the second year that is a big advantage as well.”

Magnussen has already scored more points in 2018 (27 points) than his previous two F1 campaigns combined and sits 10^th in the current F1 drivers’ world championship.