BARCELONA, Spain, Saturday, October 19, 2013: Danish ace Kevin Magnussen only needed a sixth place finish to seal the Formula Renault 3.5 championship in Barcelona today but the McLaren Young Development Programme member showed why he has been crowned champion by recording a dominant victory.
Magnussen claimed a record fourth consecutive pole position this morning and then led from lights to flag to be first across the line for the third race in a row.
The result was actually Magnussen’s ninth race in a row where the Danish star has finished on the podium. Only a post-race technical issue at Paul Ricard in the opening race spoilt the stunning run.
Magnussen has actually stood on the podium in 14 races throughout 2013 including five victories, five second places and four thirds.
Apart from his Ricard technical issue, Magnussen has only failed to finish in the points in one race this season.
Magnussen led off the start today and held off strong pressure from former teammate Will Stevens.
An opening lap crash brough out an early safety car but Magnussen and his DAMS team were able to prevail at the chequered flag to take victory.
The Danish ace will have the chance to extend his amazing record run on Sunday when he has the chance to score another pole and victory.
Sunday’s final World Series by Renault race from Barcelona will be broadcast on Eurosport. Check local guides for details.
Q: How does it feel to have won the championship?
A: “It feels completely incredible. It’s hard to understand really. I’m just so emotional. This is something really special, it’s the year when I had to deliver and I did that. Together with my team we delivered and we won this championship. It’s been an amazing year.”
Q: Were you able to treat this as a normal race weekend?
A: “Yeah, this year I’ve been really good in my mind, trying to remove pressure from myself by not thinking about the championship too much. Because that puts pressure on you if you start to feel you are close to it. This year has been very consistent and that shows that I have changed my mental approach.”
Q: Was it easy to keep calm during the race where you sealed the title?
A: “No, not at all! I didn’t feel it so much at the start, I was very calm. In the beginning there was nothing spectacular and I was able to keep the lead from pole. Then 10 laps after the safety car I was completely nervous in my head and it was hard to concentrate and not make mistakes. It was a little bit hairy towards the end, but I brought it home and now it feels amazing.”
Q: Does it feel like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders?
A: “Yeah, massively. Now there is no pressure and I can just enjoy this moment. Although we have been consistent this year it has not come easy, and emotionally it has been a tough season with a few ups and downs.”
Q: Does your focus shift to Formula 1 and your future now?
A: “No. I’ve done the job. McLaren told me to win the championship, they told me they expected me to win. I’ve done that, and I really won this championship, I haven’t lucked into it. It’s not up to me now. My future is not in my hands at the moment, so now I have to wait.”
FORMULA RENAULT 3.5 CALENDAR
7 April Monza, Italy28 April Aragon, Spain26 May Monaco, Monte Carlo2 June Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium23 June Moscow Raceway, Russia21 July Red Bull Ring, Austria15 Sep Hungaroring, Hungary29 Sep Paul Ricard, France20 Oct Barcelona, Spain
FORMULA RENAULT 3.5 POINTS
1.Kevin Magnussen2492.Stoffel Vandoorne1993.Antonio Felix Da Costa1724.Will Stevens1335.Nigel Melker1326.Nico Muller1317.Marco Sorensen1078.Arthur Pic748.Sergey Sirotkin6110.Andre Negrao51
