Kevin Magnussen appears unconcerned about the prospect of losing his seat at Haas.
A week ago, Nico Hulkenberg, who has generally been faster since joining the team last year, was announced as one of the Sauber-Audi drivers for 2025 and beyond. Magnussen told the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet that the announcement took him by surprise.
"Honestly, I thought it would be Nico and me again next year," said the 31-year-old in Miami. "That seemed most likely."
"He has accepted the opportunity at Sauber and Audi, and I wish him all the best with that," Magnussen added.
Despite the current rumours surrounding the 2025 driver market and his expiring contract, Magnussen expressed contentment with the small American outfit.
"We've made progress as a team and hopefully we'll build on that," he said.
When asked if he's in contract discussions with team owner Gene Haas and boss Ayao Komatsu, Magnussen replied, "No specific talks yet, no."
"Of course when you're part of a team, you talk all the time. Right now, there is more focus on the season we're in than anything else."
"But it is still a very open market," Magnussen acknowledged. "Many seats are available. Many drivers are available. We will see how it goes."
However, it seems likely that Magnussen would be content to stay at Haas in 2025.
"I feel like there's still work that we need to complete here," he said. "I've been here for many years now and there's always been some potential that we've never fully tapped into."
"I think we are building a better foundation to exploit it now," said Magnussen. "We have some very talented people at Haas, and we've had that since day one. Many didn't recognise it because they thought we were just copying Ferrari."
"But we've shown on several occasions that we do not just copy—we do our own thing. If we're copying anyone right now, it's Red Bull," he laughed.
While a new deal for 2025 seems probable, Magnussen admits that he cannot rule out the possibility of leaving Haas at the end of the season.
"I'm focused on this year and at the same time open to every possibility," he said. "But Haas is obviously the most likely option."
The top candidate to replace Hulkenberg next year is the Ferrari-linked rookie Oliver Bearman, who will practice for Haas at the next race in Imola.
Magnussen dismissed the idea of mentoring Bearman, just 18, as a full-time Formula 1 driver.
"I'm not really here to take care of young people. I do that at home," he smiled.
"Hopefully, the driver in the other car is competent, professional, and consistent, just like Nico has been. And we'll see if I'll be in the other one."
