Haas’ new driver line-up for 2023 is certainly going to be a fascinating one to watch, with Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen having a wealth of experience between them.
On paper, the American side have one of the most experienced line-ups on the grid for the upcoming season; however, the two drivers will need to move past their differences for the good of the team.
Hulkenberg, who is replacing Mick Schumacher at Haas, labelled Magnussen to his face as “the most unsporting driver on the grid” after the 2017 Hungarian Grand Prix, to which Magnussen replied by telling the German to “suck my balls”.
That specific quote has comically remained with Magnussen, who has admitted that despite what the public might think, himself and his new team-mate “really don’t” have any “beef going on”.
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“We’ve never been close, in the past or anything,” Magnussen told select media, including Motorsport.com.
“But in Bahrain, we met in the airport and kind of caught up for the first time.
“A lot of people think we have some beef going on, but we really don’t.”
Whilst the duo have never been the closest, Magnussen doesn’t think himself and the former Aston Martin reserve driver necessarily need to “be best pals” for the team to perform well.
Magnussen is certainly not against getting to know the German driver better and realises he doesn’t actually know him as a “person”, with the Dane being certain that the duo will “work together well as team-mates”.
“I don’t think you need to be best pals,” said Magnussen.
“I mean who knows, maybe we will become best pals, who knows! But there’s no pressure to build something away from the track.
“I respect him as a driver, and I think that’s the only thing that matters. I’ll get to know him now as a person. I’ve never really been close to him or got to know him as a person.
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“But that part doesn’t really matter. I’m sure we’re going to work together well as team-mates on-track and off the track.”
Haas boss Guenther Steiner has brought Hulkenberg into the team due to his incredible experience, with the 35-year-old having made his F1 debut for Williams back in 2010.
There will likely be some pressure on the German driver to deliver strong results, given that Schumacher has been left on the side-lines for 2023 as a result of the Americans signing Hulkenberg.