Kevin Magnussen still has respect for Nico Hulkenberg despite "suck my balls" jibe

F1 News

16 August 2019 at 09:15
  • Bobby Vincent

At the 2017 Hungarian Grand Prix, there was an iconic moment in Formula 1 history, with Kevin Magnussen telling Nico Hulkenberg to "suck his balls" following a sarcastic remark made to the Dane whilst being interviewed after the race.

According to the Haas driver him and Hulkenberg are "not friends", but he has that professional respect for the German driver, calling him a "complete driver".

"We are opponents on the track and we are not friends," Magnussen said to Auto Motor und Sport. "Of course I have a lot of respect for his driving performance.

"He is very talented and a complete driver. I really have nothing against him. This whole episode and the fact that it is still being asked today, shows what's wrong with the media. I understand why, of course.

"People click on those stories, but if I wasn't recorded by cameras then, then Nico and I wouldn't even think about it today. 

"It was completely overrated. My last words is that I have great respect for Nico and that I personally have nothing against him. As a person, I don't know him, but I have never heard anyone talk badly about him."