Formula 1: Top 5 pending free agents heading into 2023
By Asher Fair
Top 5 Formula 1 free agents: No. 3 – Kevin Magnussen
Kevin Magnussen finds himself in a familiar position: competing for Haas in a contract year. Last time that happened, he lost his ride to Nikita Mazepin, albeit primarily due to financial reasons.
Skip ahead 12 months, and just before Mazepin was set to begin his second season with the team, he ended up getting sacked over his father Dmitry Mazepin’s ties to Vladimir Putin, amid the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine. The elder Mazepin had been funding his son’s seat.
So who got the call to replace the driver who replaced Magnussen? Magnussen.
The 30-year-old Dane was impressive in his Formula 1 return, despite the fact that there were doubts over his ability to adapt to the new machinery in the brand new era of rules and regulations, given how late the driver change was made.
He finished in fifth place in the season opener in Bahrain and went on to secure a surprise pole in Brazil en route to a 13th place finish in the standings, his best since 2018. He scored more than twice as many points as teammate Mick Schumacher, who was replaced by Nico Hulkenberg for 2023.
With Hulkenberg, like Magnussen, now back in the sport after having missed a significant amount of time due to losing his previous ride, he will be more motivated than ever to perform at a high level. Magnussen won’t be able to afford to let his guard down.