Kevin Magnussen is currently in an impressive run of form, delivering strong performances for Haas in COTA and Mexico. Magnussen’s resurgence is coming at the perfect time, with his efforts capturing the attention of Sauber – who are yet to finalise their 2025 line-up.
Late-season resurgence boosts Kevin Magnussen chances
For the majority of this season, Sauber have deliberated on how to complete their driver line-up.
There have been several opportunities for the Swiss team to sign Nico Hulkenberg’s next teammate. However, at every occasion, a final decision has been delayed.
Mattia Binotto told the media at the Italian GP that Sauber could not continue deliberating on this issue. Despite this, even several weeks later, there is no clarity on what direction the team are pursuing.
For several months, Valtteri Bottas and Gabriel Bortoleto were the leading contenders to land a 2025 contract.
However, as is often the case in Formula 1, things changed quickly. Franco Colapinto has become an attractive option for the team, thanks to his stand-out efforts at Williams.
In recent weeks, Kevin Magnussen is also cementing himself as a legitimate candidate to consider.
Unlike Colapinto, Magnussen is not restricted by an existing contract – making his acquisition far less complicated.
Why Sauber are still hesitating
Magnussen’s 2024 campaign has burst into life since the US GP. The Dane has claimed critical points for Haas – most notably by finishing P7 at the Mexico GO.
He was faster than the immensely talented Nico Hulkenberg all weekend, which is no mean feat.
Magnussen was also unlucky to miss out on points in COTA, with a strategic mix-up from Haas ultimately costing him a top-1o finish.
Still, the Dane is proving what he demonstrated for so many years in his first Haas stint (2017-20) and the beginning of his latest comeback in 2022.
The 32-year-old often fought with Nico Hulkenberg (who was then at Renault) for the unofficial title of ‘best of the rest’ in 2017 and 2018.
Now behind the wheel of his best F1 car since 2018, Magnussen is again asserting himself as one of the top performers in the midfield.
Alongside Hulkenberg, the Dane is on track to deliver Haas one of their best F1 seasons – with 6th in the standings firmly within grasp.
A window of opportunity for Magnussen
Numerous outlets are reporting that Magnussen is back in the mix for a 2025 seat.
Securing Magnussen’s services would mean that Sauber, despite scoring 0 points this season, could field the same driver line-up as a team on track to finish 6th in the standings.
This would be a big positive for the Swiss outfit and provide a strong foundation for 2026.
Sauber, as evidenced by their still incomplete 2025 line-up, are not completely convinced by any of their options.
Primarily, the decision between Bottas and Bortoleto is one of experience versus youth.
However, adding Kevin Magnussen to the equation gives Mattia Binotto something else to consider.
Thanks to the competitive VF-24 at his disposal, Magnussen is capable of delivering noteworthy performances in the coming weeks.
With Bottas essentially unable to score points in the slowest car, the Dane has an opportunity to give Mattia Binotto and the other decision-makers at Sauber a headache for 2025.
In any case, one thing is clear. As the Hinwil-based squad continue to assess their options, there is everything to play for.
