Kevin Magnussen returns to F1 after Haas sack Nikita Mazepin over Russia invasion

Danish racer Kevin Magnussen is back in Formula 1 after being announced as the Haas team's second driver following the termination on Nikita Mazepin.

Magnussen, a veteran of 119 grand prix, last raced in motorsport's top class in 2020 for Haas before being dropped. 

The return of the Danish driver comes after Haas ended their contract with Russian driver Mazepin and main sponsor Ukrali, who financially supported the young driver. 

The decision to drop Ukrali, which is owned by Mazepin's father, came as businesses around the world reacted to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Magnussen said in a statement he was surprised to be asked back into F1, especially by the team who let him go in 2020. 

«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,» he said. 

«We've enjoyed a solid relationship and our positive association remained even when I left at the end of 2020.»

Magnussen returns to a sport that has gone through a massive regulation upheaval.

Haas ends its partnership with Russian fertiliser company Uralkali and driver Nikita Mazepin in response to Moscow's assault on Ukraine.

All drivers are coming to grips with the new 2022 cars, but Magnussen will be well behind his contemporaries, having not been part of pre-season testing earlier this month. 

«I've been briefed as much as possible on the development of the [car] and the potential in the package,» he said. 

«There's work to do but I'm excited to be a part of it.» 

Magnussen will be in Bahrain this weekend for the second and final round of pre-season testing, before the opening grand prix on March 20.

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner said