Kevin Magnussen behind two drivers in race to be Oliver Bearman’s 2025 Haas teammate

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Kevin Magnussen is fighting for his spot at Haas after the team confirmed Oliver Bearman as one of their 2025 drivers. Bearman will replace Nico Hulkenberg, with the other seat still up for grabs.

Magnussen has had two spells at Haas so far, the first beginning in 2017 – only 12 months on from their arrival in the sport. He raced alongside Romain Grosjean for four seasons before the team made a wholesale change.

They went for an all-rookie line-up of Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin, but when that didn’t produce the desired results, they offered Magnussen the chance to return in 2022. Now the Dane is approaching the end of his deal and, after three spells in F1, his time may finally be up.

On track, he’s clearly been second-best to Hulkenberg this season. He trails the German 6-3 in qualifying and 8-1 in the races, scoring only five of the team’s 19 points.

Magnussen brought the car home in a season-best P8 in Austria last time out, but even then he was outshone by his teammate in sixth. Perhaps the biggest issue is his propensity to cause accidents.

Indeed, the 31-year-old has racked up 10 penalty points this year alone, putting him on the verge of a race ban. Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur wants Haas to hire a driver who can teach Bearman, but they may not see Magnussen as the right example.

Esteban Ocon and Valtteri Bottas ahead of Kevin Magnussen on Haas shortlist

According to F1TV journalist Lawrence Barretto, Magnussen ranks third at best on Haas’ list for their second seat. Esteban Ocon is the favourite, while Valtteri Bottas is also a strong contender.

Alpine are parting ways with Ocon at the end of the season, but Haas still rate him highly after seeing him win the Hungarian Grand Prix win in 2021. He’s also attracting interest from Williams and Sauber, but this appears to be his most likely destination.

• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari relationship

Bottas, meanwhile, won 10 races during his stint at Mercedes and while he’s now 34, he’s still keen on ‘a long-term project’. Haas are aware that he’s recently ‘mentored’ Zhou Guanyu, and could adopt a similar role alongside Bearman.

“Talks will continue in the coming days and weeks,” Barretto adds. “Watch this space.”

Magnussen demeanour in F1 paddock might be telling

Magnussen recently described Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz as ‘the cork in the bottle’ in the F1 driver market. While Haas aren’t believed to be active contenders for his signature, he’s still holding things up.

That’s because teams like Alpine, Williams and Audi are waiting on his decision before finalising their plans. Those that lose out will likely be involved in a scramble for Ocon, Bottas and co.

Rather than looking at other teams, Magnussen may be eyeing up other series at this point. Barretto said following media day at the Austrian Grand Prix that he looked like a man ‘preparing for a racing career outside of F1’.

He’s previously sampled both IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship (at the Le Mans 24 Hours). Williams driver Logan Sargeant could reportedly return to America next season, and perhaps Magnussen will follow him.