Magnussen: F1 can't go back to '70s, '80s styled cars

Kevin Magnussen says that Formula 1 can't return to the style of cars that the sport had in the 1970s and 80s.

Magnussen believes that F1 shouldn't return to slower cars, stating that finding the limit with the current spec of car is extremely difficult. 

MOREMagnussen: I've never felt so hopeless and disappointed

However, the Dane suggested that he would like the drivers to be "more challenged" within the cockpit, mirroring Lewis Hamilton's comments from the Thursday press conference. 

"I think the drivers of the past probably would've been able to do the same but I think these fast cars really need something extra to really get everything out of it," Magnussen said.

"The limit is so far away, so to get there it's pretty difficult to actually work with the limit, under the limit with it being so hard to reach. 

"I'm sure if you put a robot in there, he could go quicker. It's interesting how it may not be long before you have robots driving the cars. 

"I love these cars being fast. We can't go back to the '70s, because back then, they were fast. You take a car from the '70s, '80s now, it wouldn't be that fast. 

"We can't unlearn everything and undo all the progress that we've made in technology. It wouldn't be the same if we brought back the '70s cars or whatever, that was great."

'Engines should have a different sound, more horsepower'

With new regulations set to be introduced in 2021 for both sporting and technical aspects, the power unit side of operations will remain relatively untouched.

While F1 originally planned to introduce a new power unit for 2021, those plans were scrapped and shifted to 2024.

Magnussen admits that he would like to see engines with a different sound introduced, and thinks it would be positive to have more horsepower available.

"I think it's fantastic that the cars are fast now, but they need to sound better. And if we had more horsepower, that would be great."

We can only dream i guess

  • 1
  • Jun 12 2019 - 12:34

Replies (5)

Login to reply
  • The issue remains that overtaking needs to be easier and without the use of DRS.

    • + 0
    • Jun 12 2019 - 12:27
  • Th3DUd3

    Posts: 2

    Sounds like KMag and Hamilton need to race in IndyCar if they want a "challenging" car.

    • + 0
    • Jun 12 2019 - 18:37
    • Or Super GT, or WEC, or WRC.

      • + 0
      • Jun 12 2019 - 19:50
  • Maybe they could fuel them more? Make them heavier, leave less to fuel saving/increase fuel flow. It would at least contribute to two of the complaints he has. As for sound: I don't mind the current sound. I find that the Honda and Ferrari sound pretty neat, with Merc' being in a close second.

    • + 0
    • Jun 12 2019 - 19:50

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country Denmark
  • Date of b. Oct 5 1992 (33)
  • Place of b. Roskilde, Denmark
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

  • comments 71,585 comments on Haas
  • star 16 members have this team as their favourite
  • vote Tweets about Haas
Show full profile
show sidebar