All eyes are on Carlos Sainz right now with the Spaniard set to decide the fate of several drivers on the grid when he finally makes his mind up on where he’ll be driving in 2025.
Williams were seen as the frontrunners to hire the Spaniard for next season, however, a new team has entered the discussions at late notice.
Alpine – with the newly hired Flavio Briatore onboard – have made a late bid to hire Sainz, as per Motorsport.com, which could further delay him announcing his next move.
READ MORE: Three reasons why Carlos Sainz shouldn’t join Alpine in 2025
Speaking on the Autosport Podcast, journalist Jake Boxall-Legge was speaking about one driver who will be indirectly impacted by Sainz’s next decision.
As well as Sainz’s next move, several rookies such as Oliver Bearman, Andrea Kimi Antonelli and potentially even Jack Doohan could be on the grid next year.
That means several established stars dropping out of F1 entirely, although Boxall-Legge has suggested that Haas driver Kevin Magnussen might not be too upset if he ends up missing out on a new drive.
The Dane – who has 187 career Formula 1 points – admitted Sainz was the cork in the bottle when it came to the driver’s market at the Spanish Grand Prix.
However, he might also be approaching the end of his time at the sport regardless of what the Spaniard does.
READ MORE: Haas driver Kevin Magnussen’s life outside F1 from wife and daughters to net worth
Kevin Magnussen might not be too upset if he loses his F1 seat
Talking about the 31-year-old’s future, Boxall-Legge said: “[Kevin] Magnussen’s had a really strong career in Formula 1.
“He probably hasn’t had the opportunities that perhaps his junior series demanded, but he did have an impressive first year at McLaren as it was on the decline.
“But unfortunately, he’s been in and out of F1 quite a bit, and I think we’re probably seeing the end of his time in F1.
“I don’t think he’s disillusioned as such, but I think there are racing categories out there that might suit themselves to his driving style a bit more and he might find a little bit more interesting.
“It doesn’t feel like if he does it’ll be the end of the world. He’s got a young family and he’s clearly very happy with his lot in life.
“I think if his Formula 1 tenure comes to an end, he won’t be too upset because he can spend more time with his family in Europe or whatever and explore other things.”
Magnussen did drive in IndyCar back in 2021 and Boxall-Legge suggests he’s been lined up to race in the World Endurance Championship in the past.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari relationship
What options does Kevin Magnussen have to stay in Formula 1?
There are plenty of drivers out of contract at the end of the season who haven’t secured new deals yet which means several teams still have vacancies for 2025.
The likes of Sauber, Alpine, Williams and obviously Haas are all assessing their options at the moment, as well as Mercedes further up the grid.
Unfortunately for Magnussen, at this stage, it appears as though staying at Haas is the best and only option.
Nico Hulkenberg is moving onto Sauber but Oliver Bearman is expected to take his seat next year.
Magnussen could be his new teammate and the pair have worked together well in the past.
However, Esteban Ocon appears to be Magnussen’s biggest threat after announcing his exit from Alpine after the Monaco Grand Prix.
The post ‘End of his time’: 187-point driver ‘won’t be too upset’ if he loses F1 seat at the end of 2024 – journalist appeared first on F1 Oversteer.