If you’re a movie buff, you won’t find a more thrilling plot in real life as compared to this — Kevin Magnussen returned to home base, Haas F1, in a sweet turn of events after the team ousted the Russians because of their country’s invasion on Ukraine.
The new era has just barely begun, and it already feels like a lot has happened in just two weeks! Due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, companies and sporting bodies across the world severed associations and levied sanctions against the Kremlin state, unfurling knockdown effects for the overall economy. As a result, Haas terminated contracts with both Uralkali and driver Mazepin immediately to avoid further escalations.
The team looked at a few driving options for the full-season drive, including Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg, Oscar Piastri, and reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi. However, in the end, it finalized on a multi-year deal with Kevin Magnussen, who drove for the team from 2017-to 2020 before competing in a brief stint at Indycar and IMSA in the US for Chip Ganassi Racing.
So, what does it mean for the Haas F1 Team?
For starters, Kevin Magnussen is known for being brave, brash, and competitive on the track. The no-limits driving character makes for a pretty compelling proposition for the team, alongside competing in the F1 for a majority of the turbo-hybrid era. And, of course, looking at the current state of affairs for the team — an experienced driver and a relatively new recruit is all it needs to move up to the midfield for some exciting duels in the future.
“I’m delighted to welcome Kevin Magnussen back to Haas F1 team. When looking for a driver who could bring value to the team, not to mention a wealth of Formula One experience, Kevin was a straightforward decision for us.”, said Guenther Steiner, team principal of Haas F1.
In response, Kevin said: “I want to thank Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner for the chance to resume my Formula One career – I know just how competitive both are and how keen they are to competing week in and week out.”
Despite all the glamour and excitement that the new F1 era/season promises, Haas particularly has lived through its vices since 2019. However, the team is all geared up for the new regulations, and now it has the driver pairing it needed, with one experienced pilot (Magnussen) and young promising talent (Mick Schumacher).
Expect a load of development and refining work for the team, along with the sweet scenes of other BTSs in the paddock!
