F1 Rumour: Haas Left Undecided On Kevin Magnussen's Contract Extension
It has been reported that Haas is currently undecided on whether to extend Kevin Magnussen's contract which is due to expire at the end of the season.
The Danish driver first signed with the American team in 2017 where he stayed until the end of 2020. However, he was brought back last minute at the beginning of the 2022 season when Haas cut ties with their title sponsor Uralkali and Russian driver Nikita Mazepin after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Magnussen made an impressive start scoring five points in the first race of the season. He also went on to take the teams first pole position for the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix Sprint Race. The end of 2022 saw the team make another change to the driver line-up with Mick Schumacher losing his seat to Nico Hulkenberg.
Now, unfortunately for Magnussen, he has struggled to put in the same performance as Hulkenberg during the first half of the 2023 season. Hulkenberg has gathered nine points for the team so far whereas Magnussen has only managed to secure two points.
According to F1 Journalist Sergio Rodriguez, the decision has been made to renew the German drivers contract for next year but that Haas is still undecided on Magnussen at the moment. He posted:
"Understand Haas will renew Hulkenberg’s contract for another season. Not decision yet with K-Mag"
Haas is currently in eighth position in the constructors' championship with eleven points tied with Williams in seventh position.
There have not been any official confirmations yet but as we head into the summer break, more 'silly season' announcements are sure to come out.