Magnussen to leave Haas F1 team at end of season

Danish driver Kevin Magnussen said he still hoped to race in Formula One next season after Haas announced on Thursday his departure from the US-owned team at the end of the year.

Esteban Ocon looks set to take his place in 2025, with the Frenchman's departure from Renault-owned Alpine already announced, alongside British rookie and Ferrari reserve Oliver Bearman.

Magnussen said he felt part of the family after seven seasons at Haas and it would be strange to leave, but there was still time to find another seat.

"I don't see myself putting an end to racing any time soon," he told reporters at the Hungarian Grand Prix. "I hope I can stay in Formula One. There are some interesting seats available. I feel like there are some interesting opportunities."

Magnussen said he heard the news last week, with Formula One at the halfway point of the season, when team boss Ayao Komatsu called him.

The 31-year-old driver joined Ferrari-powered Haas in 2017, a year after their debut, and left at the end of 2020 when the team were suffering financially.

He returned in 2022 to replace Russian Nikita Mazepin, whose billionaire father was sponsoring the team in a deal ended by the war in Ukraine.

"I’d like to thank Kevin for everything he’s given us as a team — both on and off the track. He’s truly been a bedrock of our driver line-up over the years," said Komatsu in a team statement.

"Nobody’s driven more races for us and we’ve had some memorable highlights together, not least a remarkable fifth place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2022 when Kevin returned to start his second spell with the team."

Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix will be the former McLaren and Renault driver's 135th start with the team.

The Dane has scored five points from 12 races this season compared to teammate Nico Hulkenberg's 22, with the 36-year-old German — joining Sauber next season — finishing an impressive sixth in the last two.

Komatsu said he hoped the team and Magnussen could keep working together in some capacity to reflect their "special relationship" but Magnussen recognised that might not be possible.

"If I'm racing elsewhere in Formula One and at another team, it doesn't work," he said.

"It's nice of him to say that and if I won't be racing in Formula One next year then I will definitely look at that, some kind of role, advisory or however they see fit.

"I have a lot of experience in Formula One so it would be good to keep making use of that instead of just leaving the sport altogether."

He ruled out a future role as a reserve, however.

"I'd want to focus on other things that would be exciting and fulfilling for me," he said. "Being a reserve driver and waiting around for someone to break his leg, I don't think that's very exciting."

Magnussen's departure means Haas will have an all-new lineup though Bearman is already well embedded and offers some continuity with his regular Friday practice involvement.