Kevin Magnussen reflects on 'crazy' week as he replaces Nikita Mazepin at Haas following invasion of Russia

Kevin Magnussen described the ‘crazy’ events that led to him replacing Nikita Mazepin at Haas. Haas employed Mazepin as part of the deal that saw his father Dmitry sponsor the US team through his Urakali company.

Ad/> However, following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the team cut its ties with their sponsor as well as their Russian driver. Formula 1Verstappen 'not concerned' by Mercedes sidepod, Russell impressed by Ferrari2 HOURS AGO That meant they needed to call upon their former driver Magnussen at short notice to fill their stable ahead of the new season, which is just weeks away.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the 29-year-old Danish rider explained how the negotiations with team principal Gunther Steiner progressed. “Big surprise.

Gunther called me about a week ago and asked if I’d be interested. We talked about things and I pretty quickly said, ‘Yes, let’s look at this, let’s do it.’ Controversy and confusion in Bahrain as Mercedes introduce new sidepod design Haas able to take part in second session in Bahrain after missing first run Verstappen 'not concerned' by Mercedes sidepod, Russell impressed by Ferrari “A couple of days passed and he came back and said, ‘Let’s go for it.’ “It only happened in three days and it was pretty crazy.

When I was on the plane coming here I didn’t know if it was going to happen. “I signed the contract yesterday and I’m back in Formula 1.” /> Due to delays getting all their equipment for testing at Bahrain, Magnussen and the rest of the Haas team were unable to take to the track for the first session, but teammate Pietro Fitipaldi was in action in the second runout, as teams look to refine their design and approach ahead of the season’s first race, again at Bahrain on March 20.