After re-signing with Haas Formula One Team, Kevin Magnussen has left the Peugeot Hypercar programme that is due to join the FIA World Endurance Championship this summer.
The switch and return to Formula One comes after Haas cut ties with Nikita Mazepin due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Whether this was due to the Mazepin family connections to Vladimir Putin it has not been confirmed, but it left the Formula 1 team with a seat to fill for the upcoming season. Antonio Giovinazzi and Pietro Fittipaldi were favourites to take the now empty seat, but a fast signing from Magnussen sees the Dane back on the grid.
“We have taken note of Kevin Magnussen’s decision to return to Formula 1 and wish him all the best,” the Peugeot team statement read. “He will be replaced within the Peugeot team.
“As we had done for the initial lineup, in addition to performance, our selection criteria is based on mindset and the ability to work as a team, to push and to motivate another is essential in our selection process and in endurance racing. We will once again look at our analysis of speed, consistency and reliability.
“We remain focused on Jean-Eric, Loic, Paul, Mikkel, Gustavo and James and the development of the Peugeot 9×8 with our eye on our start in competition this summer.”
Magnussen was due to take part in next weekend’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship 12 Hours of Sebring with Cadillac Chip Ganassi Racing but as this now clashes with the F1 season opener in Bahrain he will no longer be in that race.
Talking about the move back to Formula 1, Magnussen commented, “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. I really have to say thank you to both Peugeot and Chip Ganassi Racing for releasing me promptly – both are great organizations.”
