Magnussen thanks McLaren for invaluable opportunity
Formula 1’s annual Young Driver Test kicked off at a sunny Silverstone today, with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes represented by three of its test and development drivers; Kevin Magnussen (Wednesday), Oliver Turvey (Thursday), and Gary Paffett (Friday).
For Danish driver Kevin, it was his second outing behind the wheel of a McLaren – he took part in last November’s Young Driver Test at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. The engineering team spent the morning conducting investigative work into aerodynamic car changes and evaluating Pirelli rubber, with the 20-year-old completing a number of longer stints.
This afternoon, Kevin undertook more long runs, continuing the team’s focus on aero and tyre evaluation. He also took the opportunity to acclimatise himself to the MP4-28’s cockpit controls.
Kevin Magnussen: “This is the first time I’d driven at Silverstone in a Formula 1 car, and it was a fantastic experience. We covered a lot of mileage – almost two race distances – and, given there isn’t a great deal of testing these days, that opportunity was invaluable.
"The process of providing feedback to the engineers about the car, and testing new set-ups can only make me a stronger driver. I have to thank Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for giving me this opportunity, and I’m going to apply everything I’ve learned today.
“Getting a taste in the car only makes me more hungry to one day realise my ambition of racing in the highest level of motorsport. Without a doubt I learnt a great deal today.”
With Kevin having concluded his programme, Oliver Turvey takes over for tomorrow.
