A New Chapter for Magnussen
Kevin Magnussen may no longer be a race driver for Haas in Formula 1, but his presence will still be felt within the team throughout the 2025 season. Despite losing his seat to Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman, the Danish driver has inked a deal to remain actively involved as a key figure in Haas’s testing program.
Under the Testing Previous Car (TPC) regulations, which restrict the mileage current race drivers can accumulate in older cars, Magnussen’s experience makes him the perfect fit for Haas’s expanded testing efforts in collaboration with Toyota.
Magnussen’s Role with Haas
As part of the partnership with Toyota, Haas is conducting a comprehensive test program using its older VF-23 car. Magnussen will play a pivotal role in providing feedback and reference points for the team, leveraging his years of experience in F1.
Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu explained:
“He’s going to drive some TPC events to provide a reference. We have got a good relationship.”
In addition to his testing duties, Magnussen might make appearances at select F1 races when his sportscar commitments allow. However, his race-weekend role has yet to be finalized.
Stepping Away from the F1 Spotlight
While Magnussen is excited to contribute to Haas’s development, he remains clear about his intentions to avoid a passive reserve driver role.
“I’m not going to be a reserve driver as such, sitting around at every race waiting for someone to break his leg,” Magnussen said. “It is not what I want to do. I don’t need to do that.”
Instead, Magnussen will focus primarily on his new venture with BMW’s LMDh program, competing in the IMSA SportsCar Championship and the World Endurance Championship. This includes iconic events like the Le Mans 24 Hours, as well as the upcoming Daytona 24 Hours.
A Return to Classic Motorsport
For Magnussen, endurance racing is an opportunity to reignite his passion for motorsport. Speaking about his move to BMW’s program, he said:
“It’s good to be racing. I’ve always had a passion for all sorts of motorsport races. With the BMW deal, that allows me to go and explore and win some of these big classic endurance races.”
Haas’s 2025 Preparations Underway
Haas recently kicked off its testing program with a session at Jerez, Spain, using the VF-23 car. Current race drivers Ocon and Bearman joined Toyota protégé Ritomo Miyata in the test. With Magnussen set to contribute his expertise in future TPC events, the team is poised to maximize its development efforts for the upcoming season.
A Balanced Role for Magnussen
Magnussen’s dual commitments with Haas and BMW highlight his versatility and ongoing passion for motorsport. While his full-time F1 racing career may be on pause, his role with Haas ensures his wealth of experience remains an asset to the team, even as he chases glory in endurance racing.
