More than half of the Formula 1 grid is still fighting to earn a contract to be on the grid in 2025.
Many drivers are watching on with interest to see what Carlos Sainz ends up doing and his manager has already shared whether he’ll have decided on the Miami Grand Prix.
Speaking on The Fast and The Curious Podcast, journalist Christian Hewgill was reflecting on the fortunes of two drivers in one team who could both be moving on this year.
While the front of the grid is beginning to look set for 2025, the bottom half of the paddock still appears to be very fluid.
There’s plenty of interest over what Sauber are going to do with Audi set to have a big influence on next year’s driver line-up.
Both Alpine drivers could move on with team principal Bruno Famin admitting he’s ‘ready to react’ in case they secure contracts elsewhere.
However, Hewgill has suggested that while Haas star Nico Hulkenberg is turning heads with some brilliant performances, Kevin Magnussen’s Formula 1 future might be a lot less certain.
The 31-year-old Dane has recorded a top-ten finish this season which is better than seven other drivers on the grid.
Unfortunately, he’s looked a step behind Hulkenberg at times throughout the year and made a key mistake in China that ruined his and one of his rivals’ races.
READ MORE: Haas driver Kevin Magnussen’s life outside F1 from wife and daughters to net worth
Kevin Magnussen’s Formula 1 future could be in doubt
Haas entered the 2024 Formula 1 season off the back of finishing bottom of the Constructors’ Championship the year before.
Team principal Guenther Steiner was replaced by engineer Ayao Komatsu who set about lowering expectations before the car had even taken to the track.
However, Hulkenberg showed in Bahrain that there was potential to be extracted from the VF-24 as he reached Q3 on the opening weekend.
The 36-year-old then scored the team’s first point of the season in Saudi Arabia, albeit aided by some fantastic defensive driving by Magnussen.
A double-point finish in Australia is the highlight of the season so far for Haas but while Hulkenberg has continued at that level, Magnussen has slightly dropped off.
Magnussen’s Formula 1 future could be in doubt with mistakes creeping in after he ended Yuki Tsunoda’s race in China by running wide attempting an audacious overtake and clipping the back of the RB.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari relationship
Contrasting fortunes within the Haas Formula 1 team
Speaking about the American outfit, Hewgill said: “That battle for points with the lower region teams is fascinating.
“Nico Hulkenberg is doing a bloody brilliant job this season and he’s one of those drivers being linked with a Sauber/Audi seat and he’s really putting himself in the shop window because again [he’s finished] 10 place.
“I’ve spoken a couple of times about how impressed I am with him and Kevin Magnussen seems to be creeping into making more mistakes, struggling for pace, possibly I think signalling the end of his Formula 1 career might be upon us.
“Nico Hulkenberg is doing a fantastic job and he’s right in the mix for an Audi seat there.”
READ MORE: Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg’s life outside F1 from wife to height
What will Haas’s Formula 1 driver line-up look like in 2025?
At the moment, it appears that there are three drivers who could be driving for Haas next year.
Kevin Magnussen’s Formula 1 future is likely to be intertwined with Hulkenberg’s and youngster Oliver Bearman’s.
The British teenager starred for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia and is expected to be at Haas next season.
That means the two existing drivers could be fighting for one seat but Magnussen may be saved by his teammate being so good that he could earn a move elsewhere.
Audi are eyeing a move for the 36-year-old for next season and in an ideal world will team him up with Carlos Sainz.
However, Sauber’s current drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu would therefore lose their seats and if they think there’s an opportunity at Haas, then they’ll jump at it and that could spell the end of Magnussen unless he begins to improve soon.
The post ‘Signalling the end’: 169-race driver’s F1 future could be in doubt, he’s ‘making more mistakes’ – journalist appeared first on F1 Oversteer.