Magnussen 'really wants to stay' at Haas beyond 2020
Haas F1 driver Kevin Magnussen says he has every intention of staying at Haas beyond the end of the current campaign - provided the team itself survives.
The 27-year-old Dane joined Haas from Renault at the start of 2017, replacing Esteban Gutiérrez as Romain Grosjean's team mate. The following year Haas took fifth place in the constructors championship, only to suffer a serious slump in 2019.
Despite the American squad's downturn in fortunes, Magnussen insists that Haas is exactly where he wants to remain for some time to come.
“I really want to stay with Haas,” Magnussen told the Danish tabloid BT. “They have an option on me, and it would really suit me if they use it.
"I am sure that Haas will be a good place to be for years to come," he continued. "And with the budget cap being introduced in 2021, we can get closer to the top.
"It's also been decided that everyone will continue with the 2020 cars in 2021, so that means it also makes sense to continue with the same drivers," he pointed out. "Our new car was promising in the winter as it seems like we solved the problems that plagued us last year."
The delay in introducing new rules and regulations has been due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic which has caused a lengthy delay to the start of the 2020 season.
“I think I've used the break sensibly," Magnussen said of the unexpected and unwelcome hiatus. "I have been relaxing with [wife] Louise and also kept my training straight.
"But now the break has lasted long enough," he admitted. "I'm as excited about returning to racing as if I was a little kid!
"I don't think that's going to be a big problem," Magnussen replied when asked if he expected drivers to be 'rusty' after an unprecedented seven month break from racing. "Okay we haven't raced for a long time and it will be exciting t
Coronavirus has also had a big impact on team finances, despite efforts by F1 to introduce new financial rules to help struggling teams survive by introducing a new budget cap of $145 million next year and reducing thereafter.
“We are now talking about a ceiling that is actually close to our budget," Magnussen said. "It's still more than Haas uses.
"But it will force many of the other teams to cut back, which puts us in a stronger situation," he continued. “It means that we can continue roughly unchanged, while many of the competitors ahead of us will be forced to cut back. Then it gets interesting!"
As one of the smallest teams on the grid, Haas has been particularly badly affected by the prolonged shutdown, with question marks over how much longer team owner Gene Haas will continue with his F1 project.
“Gene knows he has a really good, small team," said Magnussen. “I can understand Gene was frustrated by what happened last year, but I think it was a bump in the road.
"There are so many exciting things happening in Formula One right now that could be an advantage for us," he added. However, Magnussen admitted that if Haas did have to take dramatic measures to cut costs, then it could end up forcing him out of the team.
"If you have to pay for the seats then I’m no longer there,” Magnussen conceded. “I both cannot and will not raise the necessary funds."
For his part, team principal Guenther Steiner insisted that the team would remain on the F1 grid for the long term despite the current crunch.
“We are here to stay," Steiner told a recent edition of the Sky Sports F1 vodcast. “I’m in touch with Gene almost every day: he wants to be involved with what is happening and he seems to be in a good place.
“We just need to be diligent. The budget cap, all this brings the teams together and being competitive will help, so I think we are here to stay," Steiner said, “If we find solutions for the mid and long-term, he is happy ... He wants to keep on going racing."
Much will depend on what happens with the disrupted 2020 season and how many races will eventually be held. F1 bosses have confirmed an initial run of eight European races with the intention to hold a total of 15-18 events by the end of the year.
“For sure we have to see out this scenario, but if we can get in what the plan is now then we are good for the year."
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