Eyes on the Prize: Kevin Magnussen Targets Sebring Redemption

The Danish BMW factory driver is ready to chase silverware as one of the highlights of the season, the 12 Hours of Sebring at Sebring International Raceway in Florida, goes green on Saturday afternoon.

Kevin Magnussen returns to the wheel of his BMW M Hybrid V8 this weekend as he lines up for this year’s edition of the 12 Hours of Sebring. Teaming up with BMW M Team WRT, the Dane will be aiming for a strong result in the notoriously tough endurance classic, held at the former military airfield in Florida.

"There’s no doubt that Sebring is one of the highlights of the year. First and foremost, it’s an iconic venue with a fantastic atmosphere and incredibly passionate fans, and the track itself is always a brutal challenge with its unique mix of asphalt and concrete. Over the years, only the bare minimum has been done to maintain the surface, which is exactly what makes Sebring such a demanding place for both drivers and cars. The track shows no mercy – the smallest mistake and you’re either in the wall or stuck in the sand. It’s old school, and that’s what makes it so special," explains Kevin Magnussen.

Magnussen and his teammates, Phillip Eng and Marco Wittmann, arrive at Sebring following the season-opening race at Daytona in January, where strong pace and smart strategy helped secure a podium finish for one of BMW’s two factory entries. This result adds to the optimism within the team, while Magnussen is also seeking redemption after last year’s Sebring race, where he was taken out in the pit lane.

"Our sister car finished third in the season opener at Daytona, and last year we were in contention for top positions at Sebring before being knocked out of the race. If we can carry that strong pace forward and execute a clean race without mistakes or incidents, we have a good chance. But it’s a long race, and the competition is fierce. As always, it’s about staying in the fight for eleven hours and making sure you have a strong, reliable car for the final stint," Magnussen adds.

This year’s 12 Hours of Sebring features a 55-car grid across four classes. Magnussen, Eng and Wittmann will face 10 other entries in the top-tier GTP class, competing against manufacturers such as Porsche, Cadillac, Acura and Aston Martin. The race goes green on Saturday, March 21 at 10:10 local time (15:10 CET).