Magnussen happy with new format: 'You are rewarded more for risk-taking'

At the time, the driver who took first place for the sprint race entered the books as pole-sitter for that weekend. Since Tuesday afternoon, it has been definitively clear that this no longer applies. Nevertheless, Magnussen would love to repeat the Brazil '22 feat with his Haas. "I don’t think there’s any particular reason we scored points every time but of course I’m hoping we can keep that streak going, that’s the aim. I think we have good pace in the car at the moment and hopefully we can capitalize on that in both the Sprint and the race", Magnussen said through his team.

'Good for show'

Magnussen was the first to comment on the changed format of a sprint weekend. So there will definitely be special qualifying in Baku for the mini-race, as well as qualifying for Sunday's Grand Prix. "I think it’s good that we get two qualifying sessions because it means that you can go for it a little more in the Sprint. There’s not the extra penalty of having to start at the back for the race on Sunday if you don’t finish, even though of course you want to. There’s a little more reward in the risk versus reward ratio for taking risks and that’s good for the show, good for us drivers and it’s more fun."

In any case, Magnussen is ready. After a four-week spring break, the seasoned Haas driver may get back to work: “I spent my time in Denmark and the three weeks were great for really getting into training. It’s not often during the season that we get such a continuous period of time where you can train routinely every day and get into it. That’s been great and of course just spending time with my family recharging the batteries.”