Kevin Magnussen is back with Haas F1

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.

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.

"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.