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Magnussen underestimated impact of McLaren joke

Published on 15 Apr 2016 12:42
5
By: Rob Veenstra

Kevin Magnussen has admitted he underestimated the impact that poking fun at former employer McLaren's problems would have. Last week, some of the Dane's fans on social media reacted angrily when he posted a 'meme' depicting a three-wheeled Ferrari and the caption: "Still faster than a McLaren".

"I had forgotten to think that there are still McLaren fans who follow me," said the 23-year-old, who was dropped by the British team last year and now drives for Renault. "They were a little angrier than I had anticipated," Magnussen admitted to Ekstra Bladet newspaper in Shanghai ahead of the Chinese grand prix.

"I had just seen someone else post the picture and thought it was funny. I also thought it was funny because the Ferrari at the time was so ridiculously fast compared to all the other cars," he explained. "But people thought only that I was scoffing at McLaren. It was not only that, but maybe it was not as funny as I thought it was," Magnussen said.

Indeed, Magnussen's own team is also struggling at present, but he said on Thursday that the spirit inside the Renault garage after the Lotus takeover is high. "Basically we have a good car," he insisted. "It's not fast enough yet -- we know that. But it's a long-term plan, we knew this was going to be sort of a transition year where everything is being ramped up again and patience is important, but we will get there." (GMM)

mclarenfan1968

Posts: 1,027

I personally think if he meant it as a joke he should stick by it, one should not be bullied into submission by spoiled brats on twitter. There a lot of entitled brats on twitter who will whine about anything and everything. Like those annoying SJWs. They are there just to make some noise and gat... [Read more]

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Apr 15 2016 - 14:59

F1 News Kevin Magnussen Lotus F1 Ferrari McLaren Renault

Replies (5)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Well, it wasnt meant in an offensive way, so thats good. But he might want to be more careful of what he posts on the net: its easy to make mistakes, and there are plenty of people who doesnt forgive that easily. And if he has to post something like that he might aswell post something funny. ;)
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- Apr 15 2016 - 12:58
- mclarenfan1968
  
  Posts: 1,027
  I personally think if he meant it as a joke he should stick by it, one should not be bullied into submission by spoiled brats on twitter. There a lot of entitled brats on twitter who will whine about anything and everything. Like those annoying SJWs. They are there just to make some noise and gather attention. He made fun of Mclaren big deal, anyone in his shoes will not feel kindly to how Mclaren handled his affairs.
  
  He should have left that twitter message on there and merely acknowledged there were some butthurt fans out there and he's totally cool about it. That would have earned more respect from serious fans.
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  Apr 15 2016 - 14:59
mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332
Immaturity!
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- Apr 15 2016 - 16:47
Barron

Posts: 625
By posting that Tweet, whatever anyone thinks of the humour element, he has completely forgotten the first rule of Business. Never ever burn your bridges..or your boats. Ron has a very long memory!
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- Apr 15 2016 - 17:29
- Elmgreen
  
  Posts: 23
  First of all. On a GP weekend, why is this even news. Story is almost one week old. @MCLARENFAN1968, i think the reason he took the picture down again, primarily was, that some ppl found it inappropriate, because Michael Schumacher is still in coma!?.
  @BARRON - as if RD has anything to say in McL. He wanted to retain KM and the rest of the board didnt, so he was put in place. And if hes (RD) and Alonsos bridge wasnt burned in 2007, one can hardly imagine that a picture like that, can burn a bridge..!!
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  Apr 15 2016 - 18:25