Kevin Magnussen will resume his Formula 1 career with Haas after leaving the team at the end of 2020, replacing ousted Russian driver Nikita Mazepin. PHOTO: Haasf1media

BRENDAN LINES MARCH 10, 2022

KEVIN Magnussen has re-signed with Haas on a reported multi-year deal replacing ousted Russian driver Nikita Mazepin on Wednesday.

The US-based team expectedly cut itself from its Russian ties after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, ending a title sponsorship deal with Uralkali, a company owned by Mazepin’s father who has been linked to Vladimir Putin. 

A raft of names has since then been speculatively linked to the team including Ferrari reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi, super-sub Nico Hulkenberg and Alpine reserve driver Oscar Piastri.

Magnussen (29) was a pragmatic choice according to Haas team principal Guenter Steiner.

“When looking for a driver who could bring value to the team, not to mention a wealth of Formula 1 experience, Kevin was a straightforward decision for us,” Steiner said.

“Kevin’s immediate availability means we can tap into him as a resource for pre-season testing alongside both Mick Schumacher and Pietro Fittipaldi. 

“Pietro’s going to be first in this week with half a day’s running at the test on Thursday – that’s a great opportunity for him, with Mick and Kevin doing the rest ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix.”

Steiner continued; “Kevin was a key component in our previous successes – not least when we both scored our best finishes in Formula 1 back in 2018. 

“He continued to show last year that he’s an elite race car driver adding wins and podiums to his resume. 

“As a veteran presence in both the garage and the engineering room, he’ll provide a solid benchmark for us with the on-going development of the VF-22.”

Magnussen had spent 2021 away from Formula 1 continuing to prove his racing pedigree in sports cars and IndyCar. 

A race winner in the IMSA SportsCar Championship with Chip Ganassi Racing, the Dane added four more podium finishes to his maiden campaign in the United States. 

The 2021 season also included a race debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans competing for High Class Racing in the LMP2 category alongside his father Jan Magnussen, and a one-off IndyCar start for Arrow McLaren SP at Road America.

Magnussen conceded the “surprise” offer to rejoin the team was “simply too appealing” in resuming his Formula 1 career, which meant ending deals with Peugeot and Chip Ganassi Racing.

“I was obviously very surprised but equally very excited to receive the call from Haas F1 Team,” Magnussen said.

“I was looking in a different direction regarding my commitments for 2022 but the opportunity to return to compete in Formula 1, and with a team I know extremely well, was simply too appealing.”