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Kevin Magnussen will leave Haas Formula 1 at the end of the 2024 season, with Esteban Ocon expected to replace him.
Ocon’s arrival from Alpine alongside Ferrari rookie Uli Biermann – whose 2025 contract was announced before the British Grand Prix – will give Haas a completely new line-up. Magnussen’s current team-mate Nico Hulkenberg has already signed for Sauber, who are on the verge of switching to Audi.
What Magnussen and Haas gave each other
Magnussen’s second stint with Haas – having been brought back for 2022 after being dropped at the end of 2020, following an initial four-season stint together – has turned the driver and team into a prolific combination in Formula 1. Team boss Ayao Komatsu has even described him as a “rock.”
Assuming he starts every one of the remaining 12 Grands Prix this season, Magnussen would be seventh on the all-time list for the same team – with 147 for Haas, behind Lewis Hamilton/Mercedes, Michael Schumacher/Ferrari, Max Verstappen/Red Bull, Kimi Raikkonen/Ferrari, David Coulthard/McLaren and Fernando Alonso/Renault (including Alpine).
It’s a rare long spell with one team, and it helps put Magnussen’s legacy at Haas into context.
Magnussen has not been able to fulfil the potential he showed early in his F1 career when he took a podium with McLaren on his debut, and the fact that he will not be retained by Haas despite team leader Hulkenberg moving elsewhere is not a glowing reflection on his performances alongside the German this year and last.
But by driving for Haas in all but two Formula 1 seasons so far, Magnussen has become synonymous with the ups and downs of the underdog team, and has repeatedly provided the highlights for it.
Magnussen was a key figure in Haas’ best-ever championship finish of fifth in 2018, and helped revive the team’s fortunes after a 2021 low. Having been dropped for that season primarily because the team needed money to survive, Magnussen provided a major boost when he took over at the last minute to replace the ousted Nikita Mazepin on the eve of the 2022 season.
Despite missing the first pre-season test and not being fit for Formula 1, Magnussen immediately delivered a big result – finishing fifth in his comeback to boost morale and prove the car’s potential. There were highs and lows that season alongside Mick Schumacher but none more so than putting in a great performance for Haas by topping qualifying at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Why is he losing his seat again?
Ultimately, Magnussen’s performance as a driver was very inconsistent, and he was unable to establish himself as one of the elite drivers on the grid, which is why Haas has now dropped him for the second time.
His performance was often dependent on the opportunities available and the condition of the car, showing brilliance when things were going well, but struggling at times just as easily.
Some at Haas were concerned about 2022, looking beyond the action footage, that he was not a driver who consistently produced the kind of performance that would lead to further success. That’s one reason Hulkenberg was brought in. Magnussen failed to keep up.
Had his weekend results been as good as this year’s Austrian Grand Prix, Magnussen’s chances of being retained would have been much greater. He was a good, effective and popular player at Haas – the kind of person and driver the team would be keen to keep if his performances were a little higher.
But all signs point to this being the end of Magnussen’s F1 career (again). It means the loss of a charismatic, divisive and one of the toughest drivers in the sport. And while he has occasionally crossed the finish line with such style, the F1 grid is a lot better off since Magnussen was at his best.
Will the Haas relationship last?
Although he was unable to extend his second spell with Haas much longer, the team was undoubtedly in a better position after being given the opportunity.
Komatsu has indicated that this may not be the end of their working relationship.
“There are a lot of races ahead of us this year, so I look forward to seeing what we can achieve with Kevin as we push together towards the championship,” he said.
“Besides, with Kevin’s special relationship with the team, I hope we can find a way to continue working together in some areas.
“We hope to be able to determine that in the near future, but his extensive experience in Formula 1 and knowledge of our business processes will undoubtedly be invaluable to our continued growth and development.”
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