Magnussen has started more races for Haas than any other driver
The Haas Formula 1 team has formally confirmed that Kevin Magnussen won’t be retained in 2025.
However there is no official news as yet on his replacement, despite Esteban Ocon having been associated with the seat for some time.
Oliver Bearman has already been confirmed in the other car, with Nico Hulkenberg leaving to join the Sauber/Audi project.
Magnussen drove for the US-owned outfit in 2017-’20 before being dropped when the management opted for rookies Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin for 2021.
However he was called back early in 2022 as a last minute replacement when Mazepin’s presence became untenable before the start of the season.
The Dane looks unlikely to find another F1 seat for 2025. However team boss Ayao Komatsu has suggested that he may yet have a longer-term role with Haas.
“I’d like to thank Kevin for everything he’s given us as a team – both on and off the track,” said Komatsu. “He’s truly been a bedrock of our driver line-up over the years.
“Nobody’s driven more races for us and we’ve had some memorable highlights together – not least a remarkable fifth place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2022 when Kevin returned to start his second spell with the team.
“He wasn’t expecting to be driving a Formula 1 car that weekend, but he put in a remarkable performance that was a tremendous boost to the entire organization and once again showcased his own talents behind the wheel.”
Regarding the future he added: “There’s plenty of racing to go this year so I’m looking forward to seeing what else we can achieve with Kevin as we push together in the championship.
“Beyond that, and with Kevin’s special relationship with the team, I’m hoping we can find a way to keep working together in some capacity.
“We can hopefully define that in the near future, but his extensive experience in Formula 1 and knowledge of our working operations are undoubtedly of value in our ongoing growth and development.”
Magnussen, who earned a pole for the team in Brazil in 2022, made it clear that he wants to end on a high.
“I’d like to extend my thanks to everyone at MoneyGram Haas F1 Team,” he said. “I’m proud to have raced for such a great team of people these last few years.
“In particular I’d like to thank Gene Haas for his commitment to me, notably in bringing me back once again in 2022 when I thought, at that time at least, my time in F1 had ended. I’ve enjoyed some great moments with this team – memories I’ll never forget.
“While I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my racing career, I remain fully focused on giving everything I’ve got for the rest of 2024.”
Adam Cooper F1 