Kevin Magnussen will make a shock return to Formula 1 after being announced as Nikita Mazepin’s replacement at Haas for the 2022 season.
In response to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Haas decided to terminate the contacts of both Mazepin and title sponsor Uralkali.
This left the American-owned outfit needing to fill the vacant seat alongside Mick Schumacher, with team owner Gene Haas admitting earlier this week that it was considering “several candidates”.
Haas already confirmed reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi would be driving for the team in pre-season testing in Bahrain, but hinted it wanted Mazepin’s successor to have a “bit more actual experience”.
Magnussen, who drove for Haas across a four-year stint between 2017 and 2020, left F1 at the end of 2020 to race for Chip Ganassi in the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
The Dane has more than 100 grand prix starts on his CV, as well as one podium finish on his debut at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix.
Ahead of the start of the second pre-season test at the Sakhir International Circuit on Thursday, it was confirmed Magnussen would return to Haas on a multi-year deal.
“I’m delighted to welcome Kevin Magnussen back to Haas F1 Team,” said Haas team principal Gunther 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.”
Magnussen admitted he had expected his 2022 plans to go in a “different direction” but felt the chance to return to F1 was an offer he couldn’t turn down.
“I was obviously very surprised but equally very excited to receive the call from Haas F1 Team,” said Magnussen.
“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.”
Haas revealed Magnussen would get his first taste of the VF-22 during the three-day test in Bahrain, sharing driving duties with Schumacher and Fittipaldi.
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