Kevin Magnussen admits it would have been ‘cool’ to continue with Haas in 2025 given the team’s improvements, but the Dane hopes he’ll be in contention for one of several remaining seats in F1.
Haas announced on Thursday in Hungary that it would not extend Magnussen’s contract with the team, putting an end to the Dane’s two-part seven-year association with the US outfit.
Haas has already confirmed Ferrari junior Ollie Bearman as Nico Hulkenberg’s replacement while Magnussen’s is expected to be attributed to outgoing Alpine charger Esteban Ocon.
The French outfit, along with Sauber/Audi and Williams all still have vacancies although Magnussen has never been cited as a potential candidate for any of the three teams.
The 31-year-old admits his departure from Haas is tinged with mixed emotions given the team’s strong competitive growth.
“Would I have liked to continue here? I think, you know, had I continued, it would have been cool to see, you know, the fruits of the momentum that’s been built here recently,” he said, speaking in Hungary on Thursday.
“That would have been interesting, but I think there’s also other interesting projects out there, and there’s still seats available in Formula 1. That could be interesting.
“Of course, Carlos [Sainz] is still holding up all that process, but eventually it’s going to move.
“So, right now, I think the best thing is just to focus on doing good races and then being in contention for these seats available, and things will fall into place eventually.
“I think there’s some interesting seats available. I think all the teams by now in Formula 1 are interesting.
“The whole bunch… You could look at any team and say they might be a top-five team next year. Everyone’s so tightly together. It feels like there’s still interesting opportunities.
“Although Haas is in a good position right now, you could say it’s a pity because they’re doing so well right now, but everything could change next year.
“One of the other seats could be more competitive. You never know.”
Regardless of what his F1 future may hold, Magnussen has no intention of hanging up his helmet anytime soon.
“Well, I don’t see myself putting an end to racing, you know, anytime soon,” he said “So, I think, you know, I’m in Formula 1.
“Of course, Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport, but I’ve always been of the opinion that racing outside of Formula 1 is also awesome.
“So, I think while you have a chance to be here, you need to do that.
“I’ve had a few chances, actually, but you don’t get a chance every day to race in Formula 1. So, you know, it’s natural that everyone tries to stay here.”
An exit from F1 is nothing new for Magnussen who believed that his career at the pinnacle of motorsport had run its course when Haas decided at the end of 2020 to entrust its cars to Mick Schumacher and pay-driver Nikita Mazepin.
The Dane then put together a full-time schedule in the US driving in the WeatherTech IMSA championship for Chip Ganassi Racing. He also enjoyed a one-off race in the NTT IndyCar Series with Arrow McLaren when he replaced an injured Felix Rosenqvist.
Magnussen says these experiences have quelled his fears of leaving F1 a second and likely definitive time.
“In 2021, I was out of F1, but I was racing in IMSA. It’s actually quite a busy schedule,” he reviewed.
“You’re going to America 11 or 12 times during the year. It wasn’t a quiet year, but it was at least a very different year.
“You have to remember my whole life since I was a little kid was about getting to Formula 1. Then I’ve had 10 years in the sport.
“It was interesting and exciting to see a different side of life in 2021. It wasn’t frightening. It was actually very positive and fun.
“I think that changed my mindset in terms of… I had a lot of fear before that of losing in Formula 1, because I didn’t know what was on the outside.
“That showed me that hold on to Formula 1 as long as you can, but don’t fear the outside. The afterlife is going to be good.”
Magnussen says he’s already activated his network of people and acquaintances to investigate opportunities outside if F1.
“I know a lot of people outside,” he said. “When do you go into the box of, now I’m exploring. I just talk to people. I’m in touch with everyone.
“Even when I knew I had a contract in Formula 1, the next year I was still talking to people.
“So it’s just like, I talk to people of course, but it’s not like I’m in contract negotiations with anyone or anything like that.”
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