Formula 1: 3 possible replacements for Kevin Magnussen in 2024

Kevin Magnussen Formula 1 replacements: No. 3 – Guanyu Zhou

Guanyu Zhou is also another driver whose contract is set to expire at the end of the 2023 Formula 1 season. The Chinese driver is a rather underrated candidate for teams looking for potential replacements. He has proven himself to an extent, especially as the season has progressed.

One of Zhou’s most promising aspects is the fact that he does well in bringing out the best of the car. Once Alfa Romeo introduced upgrades to the C43, he showed genuine pace consistently throughout qualifying sessions and occasionally on race days as well. He even surprisingly managed to secure the fastest lap in Bahrain.

The 24-year-old has the upper hand on Kevin Magnussen this season in the driver standings, despite Haas being higher than Alfa Romeo in the constructor standings, and that could give Haas a good reason to make the switch.

Zhou’s average grid position is roughly 0.5 spots better than Magnussen’s, and his average finish is roughly 1.6 spots better, as his average finish is roughly 0.9 spots better than his grid position while Magnussen’s is roughly 0.2 worse.

Zhou being able to bring out the pace in a car is exactly what Haas need. Throughout the season, we have seen Hulkenberg do it quite well, resulting in a rather wide margin between himself and Magnussen. As Steiner and Haas have ambitions to improve season by season, a better driver duo will give the American team a much better chance of reaching their goals.