F1 News

Magnussen knew that Bearman would drive for Haas in 2025

Magnussen on Haas' '25 line-up: "I knew that was likely"

19 July at 11:30
  • Ben Stevens

Kevin Magnussen is leaving Haas at the end of the season. The American team is going for a new-look lineup in 2025, with Ollie Bearman as one of the confirmed drivers. The second seat is yet to be announced, but Magnussen knew his fate before being told. 

Magnussen knew Bearman would get a seat 

Kevin Magnussen admits he had a good feeling that Ollie Bearman would be one of Haas' drivers for the 2025 season. The Brit was confirmed ahead of the British Grand Prix, with both Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg leaving the team. Magnussen said on Thursday in Hungary: "I knew for a while that at least Ollie would probably come here. He has a Ferrari backing and he's someone here, he had that race and there's a lot of hype around him, so I thought that was likely, but honestly, I've just tried to be patient and let the team know that there's no reason to really put my case forward. They know very well what they have in me, so it's actually been pretty straightforward."

Uninterested in a reserve role

Hulkenberg has already sorted his seat for 2025. He will move to Sauber (Audi in 2026) at the end of the year. Magnussen, however, hasn't decided on his future yet. The Dane became the latest driver to admit that teams with available seats are all trying to secure Carlos Sainz's signature but admitted a reserve driver role isn't an option for him. 

"I don't think I would be interested in a reserve driver role. If I'm able to take some kind of role with Haas, it means that I didn't land the seat in Formula 1, of course. And in that case, you know, I think I'd call it a day in Formula 1. I wouldn't want to just go to every race. I would want to focus on other things. I think being a reserve driver waiting around for someone to break his leg, I don't think that's very exciting."

Magnussen continued: "I know what the situation is like in some of the interesting sports outside of Formula 1, in case I need to move on."