The world of Formula 1 is cutthroat and with just 20 seats available there are several drivers under serious pressure to deliver with their contracts set to expire.
Only half of the grid is confirmed for the 2025 season but teams and drivers are currently exploring all of their options for next year.
Speaking on the Pelas Pistas Podcast, former driver Nelson Piquet Jr. has been talking about one driver in particular who he believes should be coming to the end of his Formula 1 career.
There are a few drivers who are underperforming this season compared to their teammates.
Sergio Perez is once again being shown up by Max Verstappen, which will be a concern for the Mexican given his contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
Logan Sargeant is another man under considerable pressure with Kimi Antonelli being prepared to potentially take his Williams seat.
However, Piquet Jr. has told Haas that it makes no sense for them to renew Kevin Magnussen’s contract after this season.
The £75,000-a-week driver almost stole the headlines from Lando Norris in Miami after his maiden Formula 1 win with his performance.
It’s believed that Haas weren’t pleased with the Danish driver at the end of the weekend.
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Nelson Piquet Jr. tells Haas to let Kevin Magnussen leave at the end of 2024
Kevin Magnussen was initially signed by Haas at the start of 2017 before leaving after four seasons.
He was only gone for a year, returning in 2022 to replace Nikita Mazepin and immediately showed the team that they were missing out on with two young drivers in the car.
Mick Schumacher was gone at the end of the year after being out-performed by Magnussen, but he faced a much tougher challenge last year.
Nico Hulkenberg arrived – years after Guenther Steiner initially wanted him – he’s been brilliant for the team ever since his arrival.
Magnussen’s defensive driving style in Saudi Arabia helped earn Haas their first point of the campaign as he supported Hulkenberg, but since then the German has been regularly challenging for the top ten while he’s only got a single point to his name.
He accumulated plenty of penalties in Miami which have brought him close to a one-race ban and Piquet Jr. believes Haas have to let Magnussen go at the end of the year based on his recent performances.
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Nelson Piquet Jr. praises Nico Hulkenberg compared to Haas teammate
Talking about the American team, Piquet Jr. said: “You know who has had a good season and that’s Haas.
“Right after Guenther [Steiner] has left, it seems like they are succeeding. They are always a little closer to the points, right?
“What’s more is more than half of the points have been scored by [Nico] Hulkenberg now.
“I think [Kevin] Magnussen has to go, in my opinion, if he gets a contract for next year…”
Kevin Magnussen needs a strong race in Imola
Piquet Jr. suggestion that Haas shouldn’t renew Magnussen’s contract is a feeling shared by some within the team.
He’s yet to do enough to convince Ayao Komatsu that he deserves a new deal with the team.
Oliver Bearman is widely believed to be joining Haas in 2025 as part of an agreement with Ferrari.
They’ve also been linked with Valtteri Bottas who is likely to lose his seat at Sauber.
The Finn is a much more consistent driver but drivers are capable of changing the perception surrounding them in a single race and Magnussen needs to do this in Imola otherwise he could be in real trouble.
The post ‘Has to go’: Nelson Piquet Jr. tells F1 team they simply cannot offer £75k-a-week driver a new contract appeared first on F1 Oversteer.