DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Kevin Magnussen is stepping away from Formula 1 with a sense of relief after a decade-long career that led to just one podium finish during his rookie season in 2014. His departure comes as Haas has opted to completely revamp its roster for the 2025 season, effectively ending Magnussen’s stint in F1—likely for good this time.
Magnussen, who was let go by Haas following the 2020 season but made a comeback in 2022, is now looking forward to a new chapter focusing on sports car racing. While he has not raced in a competitive car during his ten years in F1, he has spent the 2021 season in the IMSA sports car series, and now, he sees the opportunity to contend for championships in a field that is more welcoming.
His fresh journey commences this weekend with preparations for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Here, Magnussen will join the No. 24 BMW M Team RLL Hybrid V8 lineup and is set to compete in three endurance races on the IMSA calendar. Additionally, he will serve as a factory driver for BMW M in the World Endurance Championship, showing that he is ready to embrace this new role.
Magnussen does not view this transition as a downgrade. He appreciates the supportive nature of the sports car community compared to the cutthroat atmosphere of Formula 1, where he often felt his Haas car had no chance of achieving victory. “The whole atmosphere is that drivers are here for the love of the sport, rather than on a mission to become the greatest in the world,” he remarked, reflecting on his enduring desire to compete effectively after so many years without a realistic shot at winning. “When you’ve done 10 years of knowing you can’t win, that gets kind of old.”
Next week’s Rolex 24 marks Magnussen’s third appearance in this iconic race. He previously participated in 2021 with Chip Ganassi Racing and was slated to race again in 2022 before stepping back to return to Haas at the last minute. He has firmly stated he does not wish to explore a third chance in F1 and has little interest in IndyCar, mentioning it as “the series that got away from me” because he prioritized his F1 ambitions. Magnussen underlined that he wouldn’t seek a spot in the Indianapolis 500 unless it was with top-tier teams like Ganassi, McLaren, or Team Penske.
A significant factor in his newfound enthusiasm for sports cars is due to a lifelong passion that was influenced by his father, Jan— a four-time sports car champion and prolific winner. The two co-drove together in the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans, and while they planned to reunite at the Rolex 24, Kevin had to bow out for surgery on his wrist, prioritizing his health.
At the age of 32 and as a father of two young children, Magnussen feels that sports car racing offers a preferable lifestyle. With only 11 races confirmed for his 2025 schedule, primarily based in Europe, he can maintain his residence in Denmark while indulging in a type of racing he has long admired. “I came here so much as a kid and grew up at these races… always knew I wanted to be a part of that,” he stated. “Of course, Formula 1 is like the pinnacle, but I certainly have an extra passion for sports car racing because I grew up with it.”
Magnussen expressed gratitude that his daughters had a glimpse of his F1 journey but is keen for them to enjoy the lighter atmosphere surrounding sports car racing. He appreciates the culture, stating, “Sports car racing is more pure. I think people love what they do more in sports cars than they do in Formula 1… it can be kind of cold, in a way. I arrived here and see everyone smiling and looking forward to the race. It’s a different vibe, different environment.”
The Rolex 24 at Daytona is set to begin next Saturday and is recognized as the premier endurance race in North America, kicking off the 2025 motorsports season.
