The Secret Life of… Kevin Magnussen

You may know that he’s Denmark’s only current F1 racer. You may also know that he’s one of three second-generation drivers on the grid. But how well do you really know Haas’s Kevin Magnussen? We unearthed a few nuggets of lesser-known information for you…

Q: Apart from driving a Formula One car, what is your favourite buzz? Kevin Magnussen: I have enough buzz in F1, so outside F1 I like a relaxed life. Buzz – no thanks! (Laughs)

Q: Which film last made you cry? KM: Must have been long time ago – I cannot remember.

Q: What are you afraid of? KM: Spiders make me freak out.

Q: What was the last book you read? KM: I like to read biographies – mainly from sports people. The last was Usain Bolt’s.

Q: What did your teachers say about you in your school report? KM: It was a lady and she told me to dream bigger – to aim higher.

Q: Do you have any guilty pleasures? KM: Candy. Sweets.

Q: Do you collect anything? KM: No, not any more. When I was a kid I had all my trophies from karting in my room. I have removed all of that.

Q: What do you miss most about home when you’re travelling? KM: My dog – a one-year-old English Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Q: What was your worst buy? KM: I am a very thoughtful shopper, so knock on wood, no bad buys.

Q: What’s your ideal non-race Sunday? KM: Nice weather in Denmark and take a nice walk at the beach with my dog.

Q: What’s the most embarrassing mistake you’ve ever made? KM: Nothing comes to my mind. I am somebody who can forget easily.

Q: When was the last time you were really angry? KM: Every day in traffic! For many obvious reasons.

Q: Which superpower would you prefer: being able to fly or being able to become invisible? KM: Being able to fly.

Q: What do you sing in the shower? KM: I don’t sing – thank God!

Q: Do you believe in love at first sight? KM: Yes! It happened to me before.

Q: What’s the worst thing about being famous? KM: That some people want to know you for the wrong reasons.

Q: What’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked? KM: Every race weekend I get asked odd questions… I cannot remember them all – and I tend to forget very fast! (Laughs)

Q: You can invite three people to dinner, living or dead. Who do you invite? KM: Elvis Presley, Jim Clark and Abraham Lincoln.

Q: What was the best thing about being a child? KM: Karting. That was it!

Q: What should everyone try once in their lifetime? KM: Race a Formula 1 car!