“Many ways” Magnussen can still fit into F1 team in 2025

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has offered suggestions to how Kevin Magnussen might work with the team in Formula 1 next year.

Although Magnussen has been replaced at the team by Esteban Ocon, Komatsu is particularly keen to keep working with the Dane – and vice versa, as Magnussen is keen to remain involved with a different role at Haas if he does not get a race seat in 2025.

Previously, Magnussen stated that he was open to “some kind of role – advisory, or however they see fit” given his lengthy association with the team that started in 2017 after he left Renault.

Komatsu has revealed a few options that Magnussen has with the team, which extends to setting benchmarks with the testing of previous cars (TPC) programme that Haas can now start running with Toyota’s involvement, along with occasional simulator and reserve roles.

“We can do up to 20 days (of TPC) next year, but current race drivers, the mileage you can put in is limited to 1,000 kilometres. We’re going to do TPC in January before the season starts with our new race drivers,” Komatsu explained.

“I expect most of those mileage is basically used up by the end of January with Esteban and Ollie [Bearman].

“But when we do TPC in season, that’s much more for young driver development and then to have reference with somebody like Kevin, especially the way he’s driving now, he can provide a proper reference.

“Also the simulator in Banbury, we are installing it. When he was at McLaren, before he actually became a F1 race driver, he was very highly-rated at McLaren as a simulator driver and that’s something where he can contribute as well.

“So there’s many ways we can use Kevin. And also, he can be a reserve driver in some circuits, not everywhere, but again, look at how strong he’s performing. We are openly discussing and then trying to find out something hopefully soon.

“He’s a family man, he doesn’t want to do 24 races anyway so certainly he doesn’t want to be at the racing circuit 24 times when he’s not driving.

“So again, that’s the thing, Europe is not a problem – but we’re looking at all the aspects.’

Ocon to drive Haas in end-of-season Abu Dhabi test

Komatsu revealed that the decks were clear to run Ocon during the end-of-season test at the Yas Marina Circuit, and that it was important to give the Frenchman mileage in this year’s VF-24 to prepare him for next year.

The test has been…