There’s a reason why the Formula 1 paddock is colloquially known as the Piranha Club as it can be absolutely cutthroat.
The driver’s market is a prime example of this and with the 2025 F1 grid beginning to take shape, several drivers look at real risk of missing out on a race seat.
Writing on The Race’s live blog after qualifying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm was assessing the future of one driver.
Alex Albon signing a new contract at Williams before the race highlighted just how early teams are securing their driver line-ups for next year.
It means that every session counts with teams up and down the grid considering making an imminent decision on who will drive for them in 2025.
Mitchell-Malm has suggested that Haas driver Kevin Magnussen might be saying farewell to Formula 1 at the end of this year.
The gap between the Dane and teammate Nico Hulkenberg at Imola looked plain to see after qualifying.
However, the 31-year-old’s luck in qualifying sessions this year has been non-existent and that was on display again on Saturday.
READ MORE: Haas driver Kevin Magnussen’s life outside F1 from wife and daughters to net worth
Haas driver Kevin Magnussen could be saying farewell to Formula 1
Kevin Magnussen would have known he was coming into this weekend under pressure for multiple reasons.
His performance in Miami raised plenty of question marks for Haas who are far from convinced that he’s the right man to take them forward into 2025.
They also didn’t appreciate his comments after the Sprint Race where he admitted he picked up more than half a minute’s worth of penalties for the benefit of the team.
Those penalty points are also quickly racking up and another infringement this weekend would almost certainly see him pick up a ban.
If Magnussen did say farewell to Haas and Formula 1 then there would be plenty of fans who would be upset by his absence.
However, the levels in F1 are continuing to rise and with change afoot elsewhere on the grid, Haas may feel this is the best opportunity they’ve got to try and upgrade their line-up.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari relationship
Kevin Magnussen could be feeling the pressure at Imola
Speaking about the Haas drivers after qualifying, Mitchell-Malm said: “[Nico] Hulkenberg’s lap there is outrageous and high flying (and it’s absolutely demolished Magnussen by a second), which leads me to two thoughts: first, Haas is seriously going to miss this driver next season.
“And second, it’s probably not going to miss [Kevin] Magnussen.
“I like Kevin, he’s a very interesting person and driver to have around and on the grid – and his lap’s clearly been compromised there – but he’s trailed Hulkenberg by a few tenths all weekend and I fear this is turning into his farewell season.”
Drivers appear to already be lining up to take Magnussen’s seat at Haas if he says farewell to the team at the end of the year.
Oliver Bearman is expected to drive for the team in 2025 although he’s had another difficult F2 weekend at Imola.
Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu has been described as the favourite to replace Magnussen but that could change before the team make a final decision.
Zhou’s teammate Valtteri Bottas is also exploring his options although he was spotted chatting to Williams team principal James Vowles at the Emila Romagna Grand Prix.
Only time will tell who races for the American outfit next year but Magnussen needs to improve his performances to earn another contract.
The post ‘I fear’: Journalist believes 2024 is turning into 170-race driver’s ‘farewell season’ in Formula 1 appeared first on F1 Oversteer.