Formula 1 star provides recovery update after surgery ahead of new F1 season

19 January 2023 , 15:52

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Kevin Magnussen recently underwent wrist surgery (Image: Getty Images)

Kevin Magnussen has provided an update on his condition after undergoing surgery on his wrist.

The Dane will race in Formula 1 for Haas again this year, having returned to the team weeks before the 2022 season. But his preparations for the upcoming campaign have been disrupted by an unexpected medical issue which cropped up during a visit to the doctor.

Having experienced some discomfort in his left wrist for several days, Magnussen visited his doctor to have it checked out. It was discovered that he had a cyst which needed to be operated upon, which he said means he will "probably need to rest for a couple of weeks afterwards".

He is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of the F1 season, his Haas team confirmed. "The team is looking forward to Kevin being at full strength for his pre-season testing commitments starting next month," the team said in a statement.

However, it put into serious doubt his plans to race with his dad Jan and MDK Motorsports owner Mark Kvamme at the 24 Hours of Daytona at the end of this month. In a new update after his surgery, Magnussen has confirmed he cannot compete in that event.

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"The hand surgery went fine, but I have been advised by the doctors not to drive at Daytona," wrote the Danish racer on social media. "Wishing everyone at MDK Motorsports a great weekend over there!"

Kevin Magnussen scored the lion's share of Haas' points in 2022 and will be important to the team again this year (Getty Images)

The Haas driver will no doubt be gutted to miss out on that opportunity, having made a point of spending some time racing with his dad this winter. They already teamed up last month for the Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi and finished in the top 10.

Before it was confirmed that Magnussen would be unable to compete at Daytona, Kvamme said they will "find another opportunity to go racing together" if that was the case.. He added: "Kevin's F1 schedule has the highest priority."

Magnussen will be joined by a new team-mate this season, with Nico Hulkenberg racing alongside him for Haas. The two experienced racers have not always got along in the past, though they say that is now water under the bridge and that they don't have to be best friends to work together.

Daniel Moxon