The Haas F1 team has announced that Kevin Magnussen will race alongside Mick Schumacher this season after the Dane and the US outfit agreed on a multi-year deal.
Magnussen departed Haas along with then teammate Romain Grosjean at the end of the 2020 season, and had moved to America to compete with Chip Ganassi Racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship while also committing to a future in the WEC with Peugeot.
Earlier this year, Magnussen stated that he would only return to F1 with a team capable of winning races. But when the call from his former team came through in the wake of Nikita Mazepin's exit, the 29-year-old didn't think twice about returning to F1's fray.
"I was obviously very surprised but equally very excited to receive the call from Haas F1 Team," stated Magnussen.
"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 I know extremely well, was simply too appealing.
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"I really have to say thank you to both Peugeot and Chip Ganassi Racing for releasing me promptly – both are great organizations.
"Naturally, I also want to thank Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner for the chance to resume my Formula 1 career – I know just how competitive they both are and how keen they are to return to competing week in and week out.
"I’ve been briefed as much as possible on the development of the VF-22 and the potential in the package. There’s work to do but I’m excited to be a part of it.
"I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car in Bahrain."
Although Haas reserve Pietro Fittipaldi is earmarked to drive for Haas in Bahrain this week along with Schumacher, Magnussen will also drive the team’s VF-22 in Sakhir.
"I’m delighted to welcome Kevin Magnussen back to Haas F1 Team," commented Haas team boss Guenther Steiner.
"When looking for a driver who could bring value to the team, not to mention a wealth of Formula 1 experience, Kevin was a straightforward decision for us.
"Kevin’s immediate availability means we can tap into him as a resource for pre-season testing alongside both Mick Schumacher and Pietro Fittipaldi.
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"Pietro’s going to be first in this week with half a day’s running at the test on Thursday – that’s a great opportunity for him, with Mick and Kevin doing the rest ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
"Kevin was a key component in our previous successes – not least when we both scored our best finishes in Formula 1 back in 2018," added Steiner.
"He continued to show last year that he’s an elite race car driver adding wins and podiums to his resume.
"As a veteran presence in both the garage and the engineering room, he’ll provide a solid benchmark for us with the on-going development of the VF-22. We’re all looking forward to welcoming Kevin back this week in Bahrain."
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