Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Kevin Magnussen to leave Haas at end of Formula One season

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Kevin Magnussen will leave Haas at the end of the Formula One season.

The 31-year-old Dane has had seven seasons with Haas across two spells, first from 2017 to 2020 after joining from Renault and then being re-signed by the team ahead of the 2022 campaign.

His 11 top-10 finishes in 21 races in 2018 saw him finish a career-high ninth in the drivers’ championship and helped Haas secure a best-ever result of fifth in the constructors’ standings.

“I’ve enjoyed some great moments with this team – memories I’ll never forget,” Magnussen said.

“In particular I’d like to thank (team owner) 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 Formula One had ended.

“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.”

Haas have already announced teenager Ollie Bearman will race for them in 2025, becoming the fourth British driver as he joins Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris and George Russell on the grid next year.

Bearman is set to replace Sauber-bound Nico Hulkenberg at Haas, although the identity of his team-mate is unclear following the announcement Magnussen’s contract is not being renewed.

“I’d like to thank Kevin for everything he’s given us as a team – both on and off the track,” Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said. “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.

Ollie Bearman will race for Haas in 2025 (David Davies/PA)

“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 One and knowledge of our working operations are undoubtedly of value in our on-going growth and development.”

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