The American Formula 1 team Haas has confirmed that Danish driver Kevin Magnussen will partner Mick Schumacher for the 2022 season, after having sacked Russian Nikita Mazepin a few days ago.
The 29-year-old has been confirmed as the team’s second driver just nine days from the season opener in Bahrain next weekend. He previously raced for Haas from 2017 to 2020, finishing ninth in the drivers standings in 2018.
He fills the seat left vacant after the dismissal of Mazepin following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Mazpin’s father is the owner of potash mining company Uralkali, which was Haas’ lead sponsor until the contract was terminated earlier this week. Company logos were removed from the car before testing began last week.
Uralkali is demanding a refund of the sponsorship money he gave the team, calling the dismissal “unreasonable” and saying “sport should always be free from politics and pressure from external factors.”
Magnussen reportedly signed a “multi-year” contract with the Haas team. It’s unclear who will sit in Peugeot’s new World Endurance Championship (WEC) hypercar, which is set to hit the track later this year.
Pietro Fittipaldi will replace Haas’ early practice in Bahrain next Thursday before Magnussen gets in the car for final practice, qualifying and the race.
Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner said, “I am delighted to welcome Kevin Magnussen back to Haas. rich experience in Formula 1, Kevin was a simple decision for us.
“Kevin’s immediate availability means we can call on him as a resource for pre-season testing alongside Mick Schumacher and Pietro Fittipaldi. Pietro will be the first this week with a half-day test on Thursday – c is a great opportunity for him – with Mick and Kevin doing the rest before the Bahrain Grand Prix.”
Magnussen said: “I was obviously very surprised but also very excited to get the call. 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 that I know extremely well, was just too appealing.
“I really have to say thank you to Peugeot and [IMSA Sportscar Championship team] Chip Ganassi Racing for releasing me quickly. They are two great organizations.”
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Source: www.autocar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-03-09 18:08:53
