Written by Vyas Ponnuri
Kevin Magnussen is set to part ways with Haas at the end of 2024, once his contract expires, bringing an end to a three-season stint with the team ever since his fairytale return to the sport in 2022. The Danish driver has drawn an end to his second stint with the team, having left the team once at the end of 2020.
The 31-year old brought a breath of fresh air to a team struggling to relieve a stranglehold off the racing track, with Nikita Mazepin booted from the team after the Russia - Ukraine war broke out in early 2022, and former title sponsor Uralkali threatening to sue the team after being removed as the team's primary sponsor ahead of the 2022 season.
His return was almost as though it was poetic, with Magnussen topping testing only 48 hours after being called up to the team. At the season opener in Bahrain only a couple of weeks later, the returning Dane put his car up in seventh in qualifying, before benefitting from two late DNFs by the Red Bulls ahead to net a brilliant fifth, Haas' best result in a race in over four years.
Magnussen continued his form as the field ventured into the tight confines of Jeddah, scoring points on a track he'd never raced at before, finishing ninth on the road.
Only two races later, he would qualify a lofty fourth in Imola, before scoring in the sprint as well as the main race, finishing eighth in the sprint on Saturday and ninth in the main race on Sunday.
But the best was yet to come for both team and driver, as Magnussen took advantage of the changing weather at Imola to take the team's maiden pole position, a massive feat in the team's history so far. A thrilled Magnussen too got his first pole position in the sport, capping off a stellar return season.
Magnussen has been racing at the American team alongside old foe-turned-friend Nico Hulkenberg for the last season and a half, and although the German has consistently draqged an underperforming car into Q3 ever since, Magnussen has been firm in his defence when his forces were desired.
A prime example was at Jeddah earlier this year, when Magnussen, carrying a ten-second penalty, sternly held position ahead of the likes of Yuki Tsunoda and Esteban Ocon, building a margin enough for his teammate ahead to pit and rejoin ahead, and eventually take home a crucial championship point.
He would repeat the same at Miami, risking it all to protect his position and play the team game, as Hulkenberg ahead was able to build a gap enough to secure two points in the sprint, while Magnussen incurred as many as 35 seconds in time penalties alone for track limit violations, and his off track excursions defending from Hamilton.
Magnussen is famous for racking up penalty points on his license this year, with as many as ten penalty points on his super license stemming from incidents in the 2024 season alone, as he continues to run the risk of a race ban if he finds himself in another altercation in the remaining 12 races of 2024.
Even still, he will leave Haas as their most celebrated driver, having secured 129 points in seven seasons at the team so far, along with a famous pole position and three top five finishes for the team.
“I’d like to extend my thanks to everyone at MoneyGram Haas F1 Team – I’m proud to have raced for such a great team of people these last few years,” said Magnussen.
“In particular I’d like to thank Gene Haas for his commitment to me, notably in bringing me back once again in 2022 when I thought, at that time at least, my time in Formula 1 had ended. I’ve enjoyed some great moments with this team – memories I’ll never forget.
“While I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my racing career, I remain fully focused on giving everything I’ve got for the rest of 2024 with MoneyGram Haas F1 Team.”
Magnussen will no doubt be itching to push right until the very end of 2024, as Haas have begun to mount a resurgence lately, the team successfully bringing an upgrade that could see them even being the fifth quickest car on a race weekend at points. If they are to finish fifth, they will need every point in the quest to wrest fifth from Aston Martin.
While Haas haven't announced a driver to fill the second seat next season, Alpine departee Esteban Ocon appears to be the front runner to take his spot at the team from next season, alongside Formula One rookie, and Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman.
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