Magnussen doubts drivers will be 'rusty' upon return

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Haas' Kevin Magnussen says drivers may feel a bit out of practice when the 2020 F1 season finally kicks off but the Dane insists everyone will be up to speed within a few laps.

Formula 1's normal three-month hiatus looks set to extend into a seven-month holiday, with the sport expecting to action in early July in Austria.

Several drivers have warned that such a prolonged period of inactivity could prove physically challenging when the curtain finally raises on the season.

But Magnussen, who spent a year on the sidelines in 2015, dismissed the worries.

"It wouldn't fear me, but it would be exciting in a way," the Haas charger told Sky Sports F1.

"We've been out of it for so long now. But I know that you don't really forget it. You don't get that rusty. You get a little bit rusty, but you don't get that rusty.

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"I had a whole season out of a race car in 2015, and that was really out completely out of a race car," he added.

"I had two test days, one in a DTM, one in an LMP1 car, but nothing in a Formula 1 car. So in 2016 winter testing, when I got back in a Formula 1 car, it didn't take many laps.

"It felt like I had only been out of the car for a normal winter.

"You pick it up quickly, and it's been the same for everyone. It's just exciting, and it would be good to be back."

Formula 1's chiefs and the FIA are still establishing the comprehensive safety protocol that will govern F1's planned return this summer.

Magnussen believes the sport has a massive task to put itself in gear, but the 27-year-old is hoping F1 can pull it off.

"It's going to be a big job to get it done. But anything it takes to get back to racing really, I'm up for it," he said.

"We need to do everything we can to ensure we do it in a safe way for everyone. It's not ideal, but it's better than not racing by a long way. If we all get together, I think we can do it.

"We'll see what the measures will be and what we'll need to do, but from what we hear it's already quite a lot, and it's going to be very different.

"I'm still looking forward to it, still looking forward to getting back on-track nonetheless."

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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.