Magnussen to leave Haas F1 team at end of season

BUDAPEST :Danish driver Kevin Magnussen said he still hoped to race in Formula One next season after Haas announced on Thursday his departure from the U.S.-owned team at the end of the year.

Esteban Ocon looks set to take his place in 2025, with the Frenchman's departure from Renault-owned Alpine already announced, alongside British rookie and Ferrari reserve Oliver Bearman.

Magnussen said he felt part of the family after seven seasons at Haas and it would be strange to leave but there was still time to find another seat.

"I don't see myself putting an end to racing any time soon," he told reporters at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

"I hope I can stay in Formula One. There are some interesting seats available. I feel like there are some interesting opportunities."

Magnussen said he heard the news last week, with Formula One at the halfway point of the season, when team boss Ayao Komatsu called him.

The 31-year-old driver joined Ferrari-powered Haas in 2017, a year after their debut, and left at the end of 2020 when the team were suffering financially.

He returned in 2022 to replace Russian Nikita Mazepin, whose billionaire father was sponsoring the team in a deal ended by the war in Ukraine.

"I’d like to thank Kevin for everything he’s given us as a team – both on and off the track. He’s truly been a bedrock of our driver line-up over the years," said Komatsu in a team statement.

"Nobody’s driven more races for us and we’ve had some memorable highlights together, not least a remarkable fifth place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2022 when Kevin returned to start his second spell with the team."

Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix will be the former McLaren and Renault driver's 135th start with the team.

The Dane has scored five points