Busy week for Magnussen as World Series by Renault returns

F1 action at Silverstone and Goodwood for McLaren junior driver

Kevin Magnussen is in the middle of a busy week as he prepares for this weekends round of the Formula Renault 3.5 championship at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

While Magnussen will be looking to regain the championship lead aboard his DAMS World Series by Renault racer on the weekend, he is spending time aboard Formula 1 machinery in the lead up to the sixth round of the championship.

The McLaren Young Young Driver Development Programme member drove the 2008 Lewis Hamilton World Championship-winning McLaren at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on the weekend and climbs aboard more modern machinery today at Silverstone where he represents McLaren at the Young Driver Test aboard the MP4-28.

The test will be Magnussens second outing  for McLaren. He made his test debut last year in Abu Dhabi (pictured top) and topped the timesheets on debut in his first run in the car.

The upcoming Red Bull Ring event is the first time the Formula Renault 3.5 championship will race at the former home of the Austrian Grand Prix.

The young Dane is looking to bounce back after a qualifying penalty forced him out the points in the opening race at Moscow Raceway in Russia at the previous round.

He bounced back in the Sunday event to finish second and record his sixth podium of the season. He is currently second in the championship, three points off the lead.

This weekends action from the Red Bull Ring will be broadcast on Eurosport. Check local guides for details.

 Q: HOW WAS THE GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED?

A: It was good to get the old cars out again. It looks so good when you see all of the legendary cars that won championships in the past.  It was my first time at Goodwood, so it was a great experience.

We only went up the hill in first and second gear, so it felt like driving a road car. But it was nice to sit behind the wheel and drive away in a championship-winning car. Its nothing like racing the car.

But I still really enjoyed it and it was perfect to be perfect to be behind the wheel of a championship-winning McLaren.

Q: HOW MUCH ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FORMULA 1 TEST TODAY?

A: Im certainly looking forward to it. Obviously, its a bit of a different test because I also have a race weekend straight after. My focus has been on the race at the Red Bull Ring for a long time.

Its a bit strange having to change focus for one day and change back again for the weekend, but it will be great to be in the car again. I always enjoy being in the Formula 1 cars, thats for sure. Hopefully we can do some good testing.

Q: HOW MANY MILES HAVE YOU DONE AT SILVERSTONE?

A: Ive done two races at Silverstone, one in F3 and another in World Series by Renault. I always enjoyed Silverstone. Its one of the best circuits in Europe.

Im really looking forward to it. The weather looks to be nice, so that will be a big bonus.

Q: HOW MUCH DO YOU ENJOY LEARNING NEW TRACKS, AS YOU WILL BE DOING THIS WEEKEND AT THE RED BULL RING?

A: Its always fun to learn new tracks. But these days, with all of the data and simulators, we can prepare quite well, even if we havent been there before. It wont take us a long time to get up to speed.

I dont think Ill have a disadvantage this weekend at the Red Bull Ring. Im really looking forward to it. The track looks really cool.

My focus is still on keeping the consistency up and thats important to score points.

Weve had two wins this season, so it would be nice to get another win. But our main priority is to get the most out of the weekend.


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