Grosjean and Magnussen to leave Haas at end of season

Haas will run an all-new line-up in 2021 after Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen revealed they are leaving the American team at the end of the season.

Grosjean – in his ninth full F1 campaign – joined Haas at the very beginning in 2016, racing alongside Esteban Gutierrez, and scoring points in their first race in Australia as they went on finish eighth in the constructors’ championship.

Magnussen, who made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2014, replaced Gutierrez the following year and together with Grosjean pushed the team to an impressive fifth in the constructors’ championship in 2018.

But times have been tougher since with their points tallies dwindling – and so far in 2020, they have only one points finish apiece to their name.

With Haas having signed the new Concorde Agreement to keep them in the sport for the next five years from 2021, the American team are plotting a new five-year strategy.

That involves a different direction with drivers, with Grosjean and Magnussen set to leave the Haas after five and four campaigns respectively.

It remains unclear who will drive for Haas next season, but it is believed at least one seat will be taken by a Ferrari junior driver.

Magnussen and Grosjean pictured with owner Gene Haas and team principal Guenther Steiner.

For Grosjean and Magnussen, there are still seats available on the grid next season but at this stage, the chances of them taking one of them remain unlikely.

Grosjean announced the news on his social media channels this morning.

“The last chapter is closed and the book is finished,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “I’ve been with Haas F1 Team since day 1. Five years during which we went through highs and lows, scored 110 points in 92 races, but the journey was worth it.

“I’ve learned a lot, improved to be a better driver as well as a better man. I hope I’ve also helped people in the team to improve themself. This is probably my biggest pride, more than any of the crazy first races in 2016 or the P4 at the Austrian GP 2018. I wish the team all the best for the future.”

Magnussen said: “The 2020 season will be my last with Haas F1 Team. I have had a great time with the team for four years and I look back at a great journey. Being part of a brand new team has been a challenge that I have thoroughly enjoyed and it has brought me a huge amount of experience that has helped me grow and develop as a racing driver.

“I would like to thank Gene, Guenther and all of the race team for their loyalty and trust in me over the past four years. I am still working on my plans for the future, which I will announce in due course. There are still six races to do this season, and I am determined to give my all to finish off on a high.”

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