Kevin Magnussen has enjoyed a solid comeback season in Formula 1 with Haas, following his one-year hiatus spent in the IMSA.
The Danish driver was, of course, re-signed by the American team very close to the start of the 2022 season, due to the departure of Nikita Mazepin.
Magnussen has done well to not only get back up to speed, but also in his inter-team battle with Mick Schumacher.
The 29-year-old proved at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix that he hadn’t lost any of his speed, after finishing fifth in his first race back.
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The Dane has scored 22 points with six races remaining, putting the Haas driver in P12 in the Drivers’ Championship.
He’s scored 10 points more than his younger team-mate, who is currently under considerable pressure to perform, or face the axe from the team.
Whilst Magnussen is contracted for 2023, Schumacher’s deal expires at the end of the current season, with it looking fairly unlikely that it’ll be extended.
The German has gotten better as the season has gone on; however, heavy crashes early in the season at Saudi Arabia and Monaco appear to have severely dented his relationship with the team.
Haas boss Guenther Steiner has been particularly vocal about the 23-year-old at times this season, usually in a negative light.
Whilst Steiner insists that Schumacher still has time to prove himself to the team, it’s expected that he’ll be replaced.
Where Schumacher will go is unknown, with his best option being Williams, but only if F2 driver Logan Sargeant fails to finish in the top five of the championship.
Antonio Giovinazzi, Nico Hulkenberg and outgoing McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo have all been linked to the American seat, with Giovinazzi having driven for the team during FP1 at Monza.
Magnussen was asked by reporters what sort of driver Haas needs alongside him, with the Dane only giving away that they need to be “fast” and “consistent”.
“Pretty obvious,” said Magnussen, when asked what the team needs to improve.
“Of course, we need fast drivers and drivers that are consistent, can score points, can help drive the team forward.
“Right now we have me and Mick and it’s not going too badly, so I don’t really have any strong opinions either way.
“It’s up to Guenther [Steiner] and, of course, the management to sort that one out.
“I’m not here to speculate or be involved in that.”
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Magnussen was asked if a driver with more experience than the son of Michael Schumacher was needed, with the former McLaren driver not wishing to answer the question but did add that his team-mate is doing a “good job”.
“Again, I’m not here to really take part in that, I don’t really have an opinion on that,” added Magnussen.
“I think Mick is doing a good job and that’s all I can say.”