Magnussen Eyeing Full-Time GT3 Program Next Year

Jan Magnussen is set to take part in more GT3 races in the future, with the former Corvette Racing star indicating that he is close to signing up for a full-season program next year.

Magnussen, 49, recently made two GT3 appearances in the Michelin Le Mans Cup and told Sportscar365 that he has been enjoying his time in the popular category.

Before his pair of outings in GMB Motorsport’s No. 88 Honda NSX GT3 Evo22, the four-time 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner last raced a GT3 car in 2016.

Magnussen has competed in Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia this year but plans to return to a higher level of multi-manufacturer sports car competition in 2023.

“I’m adapting my driving style a little bit, but it’s been a really good experience so far,” Magnussen told Sportscar365.

“I enjoy driving the car. We’ll see what happens after here. I don’t know exactly what the plan is.

“I’m working on a few different plans for next year that hopefully I will be able to tell a bit more about soon. But GT3s are in my future.”

Pressed further on what those plans could be, Magnussen acknowledged that he’s in advanced discussions about a full-time GT3 drive but wouldn’t be drawn to comment on the championship in which he is set to compete.

He added that he “absolutely” intends to race in the GT3 discipline full-time.

“They’re cool cars, fast and entertaining to drive,” Magnussen said.

“GT3 has provided some fantastic racing, so we’ll see. This is definitely something I’d want to do.”

Asked if he could continue with GMB Motorsport for a Michelin Le Mans Cup campaign, Magnussen replied: “The Le Mans Cup is only a few races, and that’s not really what I’m looking for. I’m looking for something more permanent.”

Following his departure from the factory Corvette Racing IMSA GT Le Mans program in 2019, Magnussen raced domestically in Denmark and also appeared in sporadic FIA World Endurance Championship races, including a one-off comeback with Corvette at Circuit of The Americas and a Le Mans bid with Ferrari GTE-Am team JMW Motorsport.

He then joined Danish squad High Class Racing for the first three rounds of the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship, including Le Mans which he contested alongside his son Kevin, who now races in Formula 1.

Old Rivals Link Up for Honda Outings

Magnussen explained that he received a call from GMB Motorsport team principal Casper Elgaard to drive a Honda in the Le Mans Cup rounds at Spa and Portimao.

The pair had some heated exchanges as drivers in Danish national series such as the Thundersport championship, but decided to put past rivalries aside and work together.

“We’ve always been fierce competitors in Denmark,” Magnussen explained.

“A lot of fantastic races and spectacular crashes! It’s been full-on between us for 15 years. Now he’s retired and is running a team.

“We’ve always been good friends, but as competitors we weren’t. Now the dynamic has changed. I love being here and he’s taken really good care of me, for once! So that’s nice.

“I think the team is onto something really good, and I predict a big future for them.”

Elgaard, a 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP2 class winner in 2009, added that Magnussen’s presence in the GMB garage helped the team in the closing stages of its title-winning season with three Hondas supported by factory affiliate JAS Motorsport.

“It’s been brilliant having Jan in the team,” Elgaard told Sportscar365.

“We have known each other for many years and have a long history of competing hard against each other, especially in Denmark. We’ve always been friends.

“When we needed somebody to jump in, Jan was the first one I called. Luckily, he was happy to join us.

“Nothing is set for next year, but I definitely hope that he’ll be part of our team in the years to come.

“Jan is still quick, and it’s been a pleasure having him on the team because he has so much experience. We all gain from that.”