Magnussen likely sidelined from Rolex 24 due to injury

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Kevin Magnussen was scheduled to race in the Rolex 24 at Daytona at the end of this month, but the Haas F1 Team driver's participation in the endurance event is now in doubt due to a hand injury.

Magnussen was set to team up at Daytona with his father Jan, bronze-rated driver Trenton Estepand and team owner Mark Kvamme at the wheel of the latter's MDK Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R.

But a sore wrist that encouraged Magnussen to visit his physician revealed an issue that required immediate attention for the Dane to be fit and well for the start of pre-season testing in Bahrain in the last week of February.

As excited as last year's Brazilian Grand Prix poleman was to share a race weekend with his father, Magnussen had no other choice but to give absolute priority to his preparations for the F1 season.

Read also: Steiner says Magnussen is now 'mentally stronger'

"I had a sore wrist so I went to the doctor to have it looked at and they found a cyst that needs to be removed now so I can be ready for the F1 season," said the 30-year-old.

"It’s a harmless procedure, but I probably need to rest for a couple of weeks afterwards. I need to wait and see what the doctor says, but it’s unlikely that I can race at Daytona.

Formula 1 teams will kick off their 2023 preparations with a three-day test in Bahrain on 23-25 February, with the first race of the season taking place at the same venue on March 5.

Haas has yet to announce the presentation date for its VF-23 car that will be raced by Magnussen and new teammate and F1 veteran Nico Hulkenberg.

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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.