Magnussen Departs Peugeot For F1 Return

Kevin Magnussen will leave Peugeot’s Le Mans Hypercar program after signing a deal to return to Formula 1 with the Haas F1 Team.

The Dane was due to be part of the six-man squad to pilot the Peugeot 9×8 in the FIA World Endurance Championship, but was confirmed on Wednesday to have signed with Haas to replace Nikita Mazepin.

Mazepin’s contract with the American F1 team was terminated in the wake of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Peugeot released a statement following the announcement of Magnussen’s F1 deal, confirming his departure.

“We have taken note of Kevin Magnussen’s decision to return to Formula 1 and wish him all the best,” it said. “He will be replaced within the Peugeot team.”

“As we had done for the initial lineup, in addition to performance, our selection criteria is based on mindset and the ability to work as a team, to push and to motivate another is essential in our selection process and in endurance racing.

“We will once again look at our analysis of speed, consistency and reliability.”

Magnussen was confirmed as a member of the Peugeot team in February 2021 after leaving F1 following the conclusion of the 2020 season.

He was announced alongside Jean-Eric Verge, Loic Duval, Gustavo Menezes, Paul di Resta, Mikkel Jensen and James Rossiter. Peugeot has stated it will continue with the rest of the drivers while sourcing a replacement.

“We remain focused on Jean-Eric, Loic, Paul, Mikkel, Gustavo and James and the development of the Peugeot 9×8 with our eye on our start in competition this summer,” the statement concluded.

Magnussen was due to contest next weekend’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring with Cadillac Chip Ganassi Racing. However that race clashes with the F1 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.