The Haas team has announced one day before the start of the 2022 F1 pre-season tests in Bahrain that Kevin Magnussen will take the free seat left by Nikita Mazepin after the termination of his contract and that of the main sponsor Uralkali.
The American team confirmed that the Danish driver would be the replacement for the Russian after his departure from the Kannapolis team a few weeks before the start of the season in Shakir. After many rumors about who would fill the Muscovite’s place, Magnussen was chosen by Haas to be next to Mick Schumacher in 2022.
The team suffered a lot at the beginning of the campaign in which a radical technical regulation change was introduced, in addition to the fact that the salary limit imposed by the FIA would determine many decisions in the development. For this reason, Haas relied on the support provided by Uralkali , the company of Mazepin’s father, who was his regular driver until last week.
However, after the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Gene Haas’ team announced that they would end their relationship with the Mazepin family. This led to a period of doubts, where there was speculation about the arrival of Pietro Fittipaldi, who will be at the controls of the VF-22 at the start of the Bahrain tests.
Less than 24 hours before the start of the last winter tests, Haas surprised with the announcement through its social networks of the arrival of one of its former drivers to the team.
“Obviously I was very surprised, but I was equally excited to get the call from the Haas F1 Team,” said Magnussen. “I was looking in another direction regarding my commitments for 2022, but the opportunity to return to racing in Formula 1, and with a team that I know very well, was simply too attractive.
“I have to thank both Peugeot and Chip Ganassi Racing for releasing me quickly, they are both great organisations,” continued the Dane. “Of course I also want to thank Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner for the opportunity to resume my Formula 1 career, I know how competitive they are both and how eager they are to get back to racing week after week.”
“We have enjoyed a great relationship, and our partnership continued even when I left at the end of 2020. I have been informed as much as possible about the development of the VF-22 and the potential of the team.”
“There is work to be done but I am excited to be a part of it, I am looking forward to getting behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car in Bahrain again,” said Magnussen.
For his part, team boss Guenther Steiner said: “I am delighted to welcome Kevin Magnussen to Haas. Looking for a driver who could bring value to the team, in addition to a wealth of Formula 1 experience, Kevin was a right decision for us.”
“Kevin’s immediate availability means we can call on him as a resource for pre-season testing alongside Mick Schumacher and Pietro Fittipaldi. Pietro will be the first to arrive this week with half a day of filming in Thursday’s test, it’s a great opportunity.” for him, with Mick and Kevin doing the rest before the Bahrain Grand Prix.”
The Dane returns to the team from which he left in 2020 and with which he participated in 76 grand prix. Magnussen is also the second driver with the most points in the short history of Haas, with 96, only surpassed by Romain Grosjean, who added 104, although it is #20 who achieved a better position in a season by finishing ninth in 2018 .
