Kevin Magnussen is one of many drivers without a contract for next season. Although his F1 future is not decided, staying on the grid in 2025 will be a challenge for the Dane. Options are relatively limited, and Magnussen admits that spending almost a decade in the F1 midfield is not as fulfilling as he’d want.
Haas are still considering their options for next season. Of course, Magnussen is still in contention to earn a contract extension with the American outfit.
However, it would be inaccurate to say he is a favourite to land a new Haas deal. Oliver Bearman is the front-runner to join Ayao Komatu’s outfit in 2025, with Ferrari investing significantly in his career. Despite Bearman’s difficult season in Formula 2, Haas and Ferrari remain confident in his potential.
Elsewhere, Esteban Ocon is fast emerging as an option for Haas. The 27-year-old first entered talks with the US team several months ago. To some, Ocon represents an objective step up from Magnussen.
Ultimately, it is up to Ayao Komatsu and Gene Haas to make this determination. Still, it is clear there is some hesitance about committing to Magnussen for the long term.
CIRCUIT GILLES-VILLENEUVE, CANADA – JUNE 07: Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team, sits in the car in the garage during the Canadian GP at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on Friday June 07, 2024 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mark Sutton / LAT Images)
Kevin Magnussen: Sometimes I question staying in F1
Because of this, the Dane’s future is in doubt. Speaking to the media in Austria, he was candid about the situation:
“When I think about my future, it’s not like if I’m not in F1, I feel like it’s going to be a bad life at all.
“I feel a bit the opposite. There’s a big cost to being in Formula 1, and sometimes I question whether it’s worth it.
“Because it’s 24 races, being a family man – it’s a high cost. It’s not just those 24 races, it’s a lot of stuff as well. And it just fills your year 100%, and it’s not easy to do anything else.
“And I’m passionate about a lot of things, especially in motorsport – but also outside of motorsport.
“The dream has always been to succeed in Formula 1, to win races and Championships in Formula 1. But after 10 years in the sport, and not really getting there, maybe it’s getting old.”
Of course, if a seat becomes available, it seems reasonable to expect Magnussen to take it. The 2026 regulations offer a fresh start for the entire field, including traditional backmarkers.
Still, Magnussen’s comments at least suggest there is a possibility he will be out of the grid in 2025.
Over the coming weeks, clarity on the 31-year-old’s future will emerge in the near future.
