Magnussen to meet Gene Haas over F1 future (Update)

(GMM) Kevin Magnussen says there are “no negotiations” yet with Haas over his place at Haas beyond 2020.

The small American team is not ruling out a wholesale driver change for 2021, adding that whoever is signed up will also race into the new era in 2022.

“Everyone is asking what we are doing for 2021,” team boss Gunther Steiner told Ekstra Bladet.

“Yes, you will always want to perform and do your best, but with where we are at the moment, we must focus on 2022. Nothing is certain, but 2022 is the opportunity.”

It was expected that team owner Gene Haas was flying into Monza last weekend to begin driver negotiations, but Magnussen denies that is the case.

“There have been no negotiations with Haas yet,” he told BT newspaper.

“I obviously want it settled as soon as possible. It’s no secret that I’m happy and content where I am.

“I want to be part of their comeback to the top of the midfield, because that’s where I feel they belong.”

When asked if Haas is his only option to stay in Formula 1 next year, Magnussen answered: “Not necessarily. But there are no definite negotiations with anyone else.”

Haas rectified many of its chassis problems of 2019 for this year, but the team now remains at the back of the field due to Ferrari’s engine power slump.

It has triggered rumors that Haas may decide to drop Ferrari and instead become Renault’s ‘B’ team.

“We are not changing anything now,” Steiner insists. “And in my opinion, it would also not be optimal when the budget ceiling comes into play.

“With the situation at the moment and also with the pandemic, we just have to through this tough period, maybe even a little until next year and then look towards the new rules in 2022 when hopefully we will be doing better again.”

(GMM) Kevin Magnussen says he wants to meet team owner Gene Haas in person to discuss his Formula 1 future.

For 2021, Haas team boss Gunther Steiner has left the door open to either keeping Magnussen and Romain Grosjean, or potentially replacing one or both of them – even with “two rookies”.

Steiner even admitted the possibility of choosing from the Ferrari talent pool, including Mick Schumacher, Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman.

“Looking ahead, looking to next year, I think all of them merit a place in a F1 seat,” confirmed Ferrari’s Mattia Binotto.

Haas has an ‘option’ on Magnussen for 2021, and he said the time is looming for talks about next year to take place.

“It’s about to be the time of year when you sit down and talk about the future,” the Danish driver confirmed to BT newspaper at Monza.

“But I cannot comment on dates or details.”

It was believed that boss Steiner would fly to the US in the coming days to discuss the driver matter with team owner Gene Haas.

But it emerges that Haas is now actually en route to Monza.

“I will have to talk to Gene,” Magnussen said. “Anything else would be strange, right?

“But I don’t know if we will talk about the future. We have not agreed anything, so we will have to wait and see.”

If Haas does not keep him, Magnussen’s options appear limited for 2021. The 27-year-old said he would be happy to stay.

“I would like to be further ahead and fighting for points, but I do not want to say I am frustrated,” he said. “I believe the team has a bright future.”