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'I'll die in the car', says uncompromising Magnussen

Kevin Magnussen's reputation as a hard-nosed racer is set in stone, but the Haas drivers says that racing in F1's competitive mid-field leaves him no choice but to take risks.

Magnussen has often been singled out in the past by those who dealt with the Dane's uncompromising tactics out on the race track.

On Sunday, Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly was left fuming, labeling the Haas driver "the most dangerous guy I ever raced" following a big moment and a high speed contact between the two drivers in Baku.

However, once again, Magnussen refused to make any excuses for his aggressive approach to racing.

"I race hard," he told Reuters. "In a situation like this with a midfield team, you’re not guaranteed to score points. And sometimes you have nothing to lose.

"You might get a penalty, you might lose your front-wing but there’s nothing to lose if you’re 11th. Go for it. Sometimes you have to be a lot more aggressive when you’re fighting out there."

Gasly livid with 'most dangerous' Magnussen antics

Admitting his current position in the mid-field justifies his hardline attitude, Magnussen says he would likely change his approach if he ever found himself in apposition to score points at every race.

"If you are fighting for the championship, you have to play the long game," he added.

"You have to change your approach. If I was fighting for the championship, you wouldn’t see me racing the same way."

©WRI2

Magnussen rivals might want to take note of the fact that when he's strapped in the cockpit, his instinct of survival isn't at the forefront of his priorities.

"I don’t like compromises," he said.

"I will give everything. I will die in the car. I won’t hold back. I would put my life on [the line]. Absolutely.

"When you put your helmet on and you’re in the race, I find that’s just everything there is in the world.

"I love my family, and there’s so many things in life I enjoy, but when I’m in the car there’s nothing else that means anything."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.