Kevin Magnussen will be leaving the Haas team at the end of the season and won’t be on the grid next year.
The Danish driver has been reliable in the midfield since making his debut with McLaren in 2014 and brutal in wheel-to-wheel combat.
Magnussen has put in some impressive performances this year, such as seventh place in Mexico and a drive to P9 last time out at the Qatar Grand Prix.
He has lagged behind his teammate Nico Hulkenberg for much of this campaign and is 21 points down ahead of the final round of the season.
Magnussen performed admirably for Haas at the Lusail International Circuit, and Pietro Fittipaldi explained why it happened on the F1 Nation podcast.
Haas’ new upgrades have allowed Kevin Magnussen to reach his potential
Haas brought some upgrades to the floor and bodywork of the car ahead of the United States Grand Prix as they push for sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
The American team have been consistent contenders in the midfield and taken a step forward from last season which was more of a struggle.
These additions have seen Magnussen score points twice since the event at Circuit of the Americas, and he may have been in contention in Brazil before he had to withdraw.
Formula 1 cars are so refined that they have a very narrow operating window which can make them difficult to drive.
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Haas test and reserve driver Fittipaldi explained the upgrades give the car more rear security, which has given the Dane more confidence.
He said: “Every driver has certain driving styles that if you really maximise it, they can really extract more potential. I believe with these new upgrades we have in the car, which has given us a lot more rear security in the car, it’s allowing Kevin to really maximise his potential.
“That’s when you ask about Hamilton, for sure, seven-time world champion, but every driver has a certain style that if you’re able to get it in that window, they’re just just extremely fast. Kevin is finally being able to get back in the window that we all know that he could do.”
Cadillac may given Kevin Magnussen a lifeline in Formula 1
Formula 1 will be expanding to 11 teams and 22 cars for the 2026 season as Cadillac have had their proposal accepted after a long journey.
The American manufacturer could provide some meaningful competition rather than being a backmarker, and they may like an experienced driver.
Formula 1 will be a new experience for General Motors, and Magnussen could be a candidate with multiple seasons of racing at the highest level.
Magnussen may be an option for Cadillac, and he has also raced in America and for an American Formula 1 team, which should help him acclimatise if he joins them in 2026.
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