There are 13 drivers who know they have to do everything they can over the next 21 races to earn another Formula 1 contract.
Their performances in every practice session, qualifying and race will be carefully analysed by their own team and others on the grid and that won’t change in Japan this weekend.
Speaking on The Race Podcast, journalist Edd Straw believes that after just three Grand Prix, one driver was already impressed with their displays.
For the quickest five teams, regularly scoring points while challenging for podiums has to be the aim.
Much of that will depend on how Red Bull fare given their slight advantage, but Carlos Sainz showed in Melbourne how important it is to be at the very top of your game when they present an opportunity.
The bottom five teams will be judged on how often they can finish in the top ten when there are retirements or issues in front of them.
One team who have taken full advantage of those issues is Haas, who have started the season much better than expected.
Both drivers have already finished in the points, but Kevin Magnussen may have already improved his chances of staying on the grid for 2025 and beyond.
After struggling last season and only finishing in the top ten once, he’s put in two important displays in Jeddah and Australia for his team.
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Kevin Magnussen has already improved his chances of securing 2025 F1 seat
The 2024 Formula 1 driver’s market hasn’t kicked into gear yet but speculation is already bubbling under the surface.
After all 20 drivers were retained for this season, the number of youngsters not currently on the grid who want a piece of the action is growing.
One of the best examples of that is Oliver Bearman after his spectacular debut in Saudi Arabia.
The teenager has long been linked with a seat within the Haas team after testing for them last season.
That’s going to mean either Magnussen or Nico Hulkenberg losing their seats.
While Magnussen has improved his chances of staying on the grid in 2025, he’s still behind the German in the Drivers’ Championship.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean, he’ll be the driver to miss out…
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Kevin Magnussen enjoying strong start to 2024 season
Straw: “There’s also an interesting thing because even if you say, right because of what happened last year and the general trend, if they keep one, it’ll be [Nico] Hulkenberg.
“Well, that might not necessarily be in their power because Sauber might for example sign Hulkenberg if they can’t get someone else.
“[Kevin] Magnussen is not only playing the game to try and be the best Haas driver, but also if he can be part of good, strong two-car team then if Hulkenberg goes they’ll say ‘Oh, well there’s no need to change Kevin, we can put Ollie Bearman in alongside him’.
“I mean I think going into the season there was the risk that this would be a dead-in-the-water season for Magnussen, that he’d struggle like last year and there would be no chance of him carrying on.
“But, he’s started really well and we know how good he can be when he’s happy with the car and if he keeps doing that, he’s massively upping his chances of staying on.
“And also, if he keeps doing that and even if they can keep Hulkenberg, then it’s an interesting question mark.”
Could Magnussen and Hulkenberg both stay in Formula 1?
Kevin Magnussen’s amazing defensive drive in Jeddah might have improved his chances of earning a 2025 race seat, even if some of his rivals weren’t happy with his antics.
However, Haas know Bearman is ready and waiting for a race seat and given their relationship with Ferrari, it’s unknown how much of a choice they’ll have when it comes to working with the teenager.
Nico Hulkenberg has been touted with a move to Sauber – soon to be Audi – which could mean Magnussen is retained for next year.
Haas have been burned before when running two rookies at the same time and so keeping the experienced Dane in the car would make sense.
There’s still a long way to go this season though and plenty could change between now and when Ayao Komatsu and Gene Haas have to decide on their next line-up.
The post ‘Started really well’: 167-race star is ‘massively upping his chances’ of staying in F1 for 2025 – journalist appeared first on F1 Oversteer.