Kevin Magnussen doesn’t want a reserve F1 seat next year
Kevin Magnussen refuses to put himself under pressure despite the uncertainty of his future in Formula 1. The Dane, who has already experienced a similar situation, says he is ready to move on to other opportunities in motorsport. What's certain for him is that he won't be a reserve driver.
Haas driver Kevin Magnussen had confirmed a few months before the announcement of the next drivers that he would not stay with the team in 2025. Despite doubts about his future, he does not want to put pressure on himself. However, he is still without a seat for next year.
A situation he knows well
The Dane is unfortunately in a delicate situation. With only four spots remaining, he is not the most sought-after driver on the grid. The reason being, his teammate has scored many points, unlike him. There is no going back for the driver, as the two spots at Haas are already taken. If he wants to stay in the sport, he will have to find a solution quickly. But his situation does not worry him that much.
As he has already experienced a similar situation, Kevin Magnussen seems to have accepted the possibility of ending his career. “I have been in this kind of situation several times already, it doesn’t bother me too much,” he confirmed. “Of course, I would have liked to stay here, but it’s just part of the journey. It’s just another step in this journey.” In 2021, Kevin Magnussen had already had to temporarily end his career. On that occasion, he had joined IMSA, the American endurance racing championship. It was an opportunity for him to clinch victory, which he did brilliantly. For now, a return to this championship seems more plausible for him than Formula 1. He has not ruled out this idea.
Even if the mood is not at its best, the Dane is ready to let life take its course. He will consider his options when they present themselves. It simply depends on the opportunities that arise and the doors that open. No matter where. You simply move forward step by step. For now, I’m not stressing. I can wait, he said. Maybe something will come on the table that I can’t refuse, and then I will consider that option, but for now, that’s not the case. Everything is possible, he added.
A starting player, and that’s it.
If Kevin Magnussen doesn’t know much about what he wants for his future, he still knows what he doesn’t want: a full-time driver position, and nothing else. While a reserve option might seem more plausible for him, he doesn’t want it. Asked about a possible interest as a reserve driver, he replied negatively. “No, no. No chance,” he confirmed. “Why should I travel for 24 races just to maybe have one more race? I have competed in almost 200 races, I don’t need this one extra race. Absolutely not.”
Everyone knows that Formula 1 is a very selective sport, aimed at hiring the best. But not competing in the discipline is not a fate according to the words of the Dane, rather a chance to come back. Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport, and everyone holds on to it as long as they can, but maybe that will change in 2026, he confided. I would like to try other things, but I am only 31 years old, so I do not put pressure on myself.
It must be recognized that these last years have not been easy for Haas. While he only managed to slip into the Top 10 a few times, the team is far behind the others in the championship, despite visible progress. However, even though there is a strong possibility that we will not see him again by next year, he is not saying goodbye to his life in Formula 1.
