Magnussen rejoins Haas on a multi-year deal replacing Nikita Mazepin

He's been gone, and now he's back. A familiar face returns to the paddock for the 2022 Formula One season after a year of absence.

Kevin Magnussen signed a multi-year contract agreement with Haas F1 Team, and will now drive alongside Mick Schumacher. The 29-year old Dane was announced as the replacement driver after Nikita Mazepin's contract and Uralkali title sponsorship were terminated, following recent events in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Surprise, surprise, K-Mag is back image

After he was released by Haas at the end of 2020, Magnussen was already an experienced F1 veteran with 119 career starts to his credit, including a podium at his debut with McLaren back in 2014. In his first tenure with the Kannapolis-based squad, K-Mag accumulated 79 race starts with multiple top-10 finishes.

“As a veteran presence in both the garage and the engineering room, he’ll provide a solid benchmark for us with the ongoing development of the VF-22. We’re all looking forward to welcoming Kevin back this week in Bahrain” says Guenther Steiner, Team Principal of Haas F1 Team.

Surprise, surprise, K-Mag is back image

"I’ve been briefed as much as possible on the development of the VF-22 and the potential in the package. There’s work to do but I’m excited to be a part of it. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car in Bahrain," shared Magnussen.

He will have his work cut out for him, as there's only one pre-season test left to get used to the car before the five red lights go out in two weeks' time.