Pierre Gasly and Lance Stroll became the latest drivers to confirm where they’ll be driving during the 2025 Formula 1 season.
There’s still a seat open at Alpine next to Gasly, while the Canadian driver completes Aston Martin’s line-up alongside Aston Martin.
That leaves just seven open spaces for 2025 and although no rookies have been confirmed yet for next year, it’s expected that not every driver currently racing in F1 will still be around when pre-season testing rolls around in February.
Posting on social media, journalist Lawrence Barretto shared a conversation he had with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen who still isn’t confirmed for next year.
Ayao Komatsu’s outfit are the only team on the grid who have yet to confirm either seat for 2025.
However, that’s expected to change as early as the British Grand Prix and the announcement could be bad news for the Dane who might now be thinking about his future in Formula 1.
READ MORE: Haas driver Kevin Magnussen’s life outside F1 from wife and daughters to net worth
Kevin Magnussen might be thinking about life after Formula 1
Lawrence Barretto was in the paddock ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix and posted: “Chatting to Kevin Magnussen today, I get the distinct feeling he is preparing for a racing career outside of F1 beyond this season.
“Haas haven’t nailed their line-up yet, but [Esteban] Ocon and [Oliver] Bearman are favourites to lock those seats in.”
Barretto’s colleague Will Buxton followed up his tweet and added: “Kevin [Magnussen] stated last week that endurance racing would be his most likely destination if his time in F1 was up.
“He loves it there and has proven rapid. Spoke of his love for Indycar, but Endurance is where his heart lies.”
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari relationship
Who could replace Kevin Magnussen if he leaves Haas in 2025?
After 174 Grand Prix, it would be a shame for Magnussen to lose his place on the grid but with only 20 seats available, someone has to miss out.
Speaking to the media before the Austrian Grand Prix, Magnussen has admitted that he’s ‘an active participant in contention for a few of the seats’ although that doesn’t suggest he’s at the forefront of anyone’s thinking at this stage.
As Barretto suggests, the most likely candidates to drive for Haas next season are Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon.
Haas have been working with Bearman since last season when he made his FP1 debut with the team and he’s impressed Komatsu whenever he’s run in Formula 1.
He stole the show at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when stepping in at short notice to replace Carlos Sainz and looks set to be the fourth British driver on the grid in 2025.
Bearman looks likely to be joined by Esteban Ocon who confirmed his departure from Alpine after a controversial Monaco Grand Prix.
The Frenchman is experienced – although not as experienced as Magnussen – and very quick in the right car.
It’s arguable whether a partnership of Bearman and Ocon is quicker than Magnussen and Hulkenberg although it’s unfair to compare their performances this year to what Haas’s 2025 car is going to look like.
Magnussen later said: “I watch Le Mans or the Indy 500 and see some of the guys that win, they look bloody happy and I think there’s a career outside of Formula 1.
“I’ve been part of it a few times when I’ve not been in Formula 1, it is a great life and it is pulling a little bit.”
The post ‘Get the distinct feeling’: Lawrence Barretto says 174-race star now seems to be preparing to leave Formula 1 appeared first on F1 Oversteer.