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The US-based Haas Racing team has decided to drop Kevin Magnussen for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The team announced Magnussen’s departure but did not reveal who would replace him as Briton Oliver Bellmann’s teammate next season.
However, BBC Sport has learned that Esteban Ocon, who races for Alpine Racing this season, will drive the car.
The information comes from sources close to Haas and Mercedes, who are responsible for managing the French driver’s career.
The decision means Haas will have a completely new F1 line-up next year, with Magnussen’s current team-mate Nico Hulkenberg set to switch to Sauber, which will be restructured to Audi in time for the German company’s official entry into F1 in 2026.
Magnussen drove for Haas from 2017 to 2020, re-signing ahead of the 2022 season after the team dropped Russian driver Nikita Mazepin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
His best finish for the team is fifth, which he has achieved three times. His highest championship result for the team was ninth in 2018. His career best was second on his F1 debut with McLaren at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix.
Haas Racing Team Principal Ayao Komatsu said: “Kevin has been a pillar of our driver line-up for many years.
“No one has raced more for us and we’ve experienced some memorable highlights together – not least fifth place at the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix, when Kevin returned to the team for his second stint.
“He had no idea he would be behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car that weekend but his performance was outstanding and it was a huge boost for the whole organisation and demonstrated once again his natural talent behind the wheel of a car.”
Komatsu added: “I hope we can find some way to continue working together. We hope to confirm this in the near future, but his extensive experience in F1 and understanding of our working operations will undoubtedly be of great value to our continued growth and development.”
Magnussen, whose future in F1 is in doubt and whose options remain limited next season, said: “I’ve been proud to drive for such a great team over the last few years.
“I especially want to thank (owner) Gene Haas for his commitment to me, and especially for having me back again in 2022, when I thought, at least at that point in time, that my F1 career was over. I’ve had some great times with this team – memories that I’ll never forget.”
Haas has extended its engine supply agreement with Ferrari until the end of the 2028 season. The team is also said to be in talks with automotive giant Toyota about a partnership for next season.
Industry insiders say they are negotiating a deal whereby Toyota would put its branding on the model in exchange for engineering support.
Haas will benefit from the Japanese company’s vast resources, while Toyota has the means to bring its engineers and drivers into F1. Haas currently has a small base in Banbury, England, with engineers based at the Ferrari factory using its facilities, while its cars are built by Italian manufacturer Dallara.
The company plans to move into the new factory in an effort to improve performance in the coming years. Haas and Komatsu visited the Mercedes plant in Brackley earlier this month as part of a site visit mission to plan their new UK base. Haas declined to comment on the Toyota issue.
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