There have been rumors for a while, and in Hungary it became official: Kevin Magnussen is leaving Haas. On Thursday in Budapest, the Dane reacted to his time at the US racing team coming to an end and revealed his plans for the future: The Formula 1 chapter is not yet over, but not at any price.
Kevin Magnussen mourns his departure from Haas: Would have liked to have stayed longer!
“I’ve been with Haas since its beginnings in Formula 1 and it feels like part of my family. It will be strange to leave the team at the end of the year. But everything comes to an end at some point,” regrets Kevin Magnussen. He himself would have liked to stay with the racing team longer. “It would have been cool to see the fruits of the current momentum.”
A phone call from Ayao Komatsu sealed his fate last week. However, the team boss stressed that he would not slam the door on the long-established Haas driver and would possibly hire him as a consultant. Becoming a reserve driver is definitely out of the question for Magnussen: “Being a reserve driver waiting for someone to break a leg doesn’t sound very exciting!”
A role as an advisor at Haas is only an option for the 31-year-old when the premier class chapter is finally closed. He is still hoping for a miracle and a free cockpit in 2025: “I hope to be able to stay in Formula 1. There are still free seats available that could be interesting,” he says.
But for that to happen, the cork in the driver market bottle – Carlos Sainz – would finally have to make his decision. “At the moment, it’s best if I concentrate on driving good races, then I’ll be in the fight for the free cockpits. Then something will come of it,” said Kevin Magnussen. “As long as you have the chance to be here, you have to take it!”
Magnussen rules out retirement – 2025 Indycar, WEC or Formula 1?
If the premier class doesn’t work out, Jan Magnussen’s son is hoping to continue his career in another series. In 2021, he already drove one season in the IMSA series, started for McLaren in an Indycar race and joined Peugeot – before Günther Steiner brought him back. One thing is certain: the 31-year-old is not planning on retiring anytime soon.
“I can’t imagine putting an end to racing any time soon,” emphasises the Haas driver. “Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport, but I’ve always thought that racing outside of Formula 1 is great too!” There are no fixed contracts, but talks with teams are already underway.
Magnussen jokes: Death does not await outside Formula 1
What was important to him was the experience he had already gained outside of the premier class. “It was interesting and kind of exciting to see the other side. And it wasn’t scary,” he remembers. “It changed my way of thinking. Before that, I was very afraid of losing Formula 1 because I didn’t know what was out there.”
“That showed me: hold on to Formula 1 as long as you can, but don’t be afraid of the other world,” Magnussen says philosophically. “Life after death will be good!” With a grin, he quickly adds: “Now that sounds like I’m going to die!”
Mick Schumacher could go the opposite way: his number one goal is still a return from endurance racing to Formula 1. An update on the German can be found here.