Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen to leave Haas after 2020 season

Formula 1

Breaking news

Drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen will both leave Haas at the end of the 2020 season.

France’s Grosjean, 34, has been with Haas since the team entered Formula 1 in 2016 while Dane Magnussen, 28, moved from Renault in 2017.

Grosjean is 18th in the drivers’ championship with two points and Magnussen is 19th having scored one.

It means Haas, currently ninth in the constructors’ standings, will have an entirely new driver line-up for 2021.

Analysis – Mick Schumacher to come in?

BBC Sport chief F1 writer Andrew Benson

The decision by Haas to move on Grosjean and Magnussen reflects the team’s shifting priorities heading into 2021.

Resources are tight at the team owned by billionaire machine-tools magnate Gene Haas and it is likely that at least one of the drivers Haas brings in next year will have financial backing.

Grosjean and Magnussen have been evenly matched through their careers together at the US-based team.

But both take salaries. F1 is introducing a major new rules package for the 2022 season. All teams hope the new, radically different cars will provide a competitive reset, and Haas needs resources to ensure it is as well prepared for that season as possible.

It is unclear as yet who will take the seats, but Russian Formula 2 driver Nikita Mazepin has been strongly linked to the team.

Mazepin’s father Dimitry is a billionaire who owns a major chemicals company. He has backed his son’s career and has been looking for a way into F1 for some time.

Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time champion Michael, has also been linked to a drive at Haas.

He is part of the Ferrari driver academy and Haas have close links with the Italian team, buying as many parts from them as the rules allow.

Schumacher has also been linked with Alfa Romeo, another Ferrari satellite, and his destination may depend on whether Ferrari decide Antonio Giovinazzi, another of their proteges, has done enough to secure his seat at Alfa for a third season.

More to follow

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