Kevin Magnussen has made a shock return to F1 with Haas in a new multi-year deal from 2022 to partner Mick Schumacher.
After Danish media broke the news of Magnussen in consideration for the Haas seat alongside Antonio Giovinazzi and Nico Hulkenberg, the American F1 team eventually confirmed the Danish driver on Wednesday evening.
Haas revealed it to be a multi-year deal for Magnussen to partner Schumacher as a replacement of Nikita Mazepin. The Dane will get to drive in this week’s Bahrain test where the team have only named Pietro Fittipaldi so far, who remains as its reserve.
It is unclear when Magnussen arrives and gets to drive with Haas yet to reveal the names for Friday and Saturday. Having raced for the team until 2020, the Dane moves to America to compete in IMSA and was preparing for a WEC run this year.
Both Chip Ganassi and Peugeot agreed to release him promptly. “I’m delighted to welcome Kevin Magnussen back to Haas F1 Team,” commented Guenther 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.
“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.
“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. We’re all looking forward to welcoming Kevin back this week in Bahrain.”
Upon his return, Magnussen added: “I was obviously very surprised but equally very excited to receive the call from Haas F1 Team. 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. I really have to say thank you to both Peugeot and Chip Ganassi Racing for releasing me promptly – both are great organizations.
“Naturally, I also want to thank Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner for the chance to resume my Formula 1 career – I know just how competitive they both are and how keen they are to return to competing week in and week out. We’ve enjoyed a solid relationship and our positive association remained even when I left at the end of 2020.
“I’ve been briefed as much as possible on the development of the VF-22 and the potential in the package. There’s work to do but I’m excited to be a part of it. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car in Bahrain.”
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