Kevin Magnussen's new contract with BMW includes the flexibility to remain involved with Haas in Formula 1, even though the 32-year-old Dane will no longer race for the team.
Haas, led by Ayao Komatsu, opted not to extend Magnussen's contract as a race driver for 2025. On Thursday, BMW announced Magnussen as a works driver for its prototype sports car team, with details about his racing schedule yet to be confirmed.
Magnussen admitted he explored other options, including IndyCar, but decided against relocating his family to the United States.
"I talked to some teams because IndyCar is so cool. But having to move my family to the States is just not practical," Magnussen said in Abu Dhabi.
His BMW arrangement allows him to participate in select endurance races while remaining connected to Haas in a to-be-defined role.
"We decided not to extend his contract as a racing driver," Komatsu explained. "But he has still made a significant contribution to us.
"On his good days he is very, very stable, very fast and clearly talented. So we are going to continue with him in some role next year, but it is not clearly defined yet," Komatsu told Ekstra Bladet.
Magnussen ensured that his BMW deal would not prevent him from collaborating with Haas.
"He ensured with the BMW contract that he can still work for us. We are looking for ways to use Kevin's experience," Komatsu confirmed.
"It's a good thing that we can talk openly about this kind of thing. Kev has put on the table what he is looking for, and we have done the same. I can't say concretely what he will do, but roughly speaking, we agree," he added.
Magnussen confirmed he will not take on a traditional reserve driver role, saying he has no intention of attending every race as a backup.
"I'm still talking to Ayao about doing something with the team next year," Magnussen said. "But I won't be going to many races—if any at all. I'll be busy with BMW and other things.
"I've talked to Ayao about it, and we agree that he can always call. He has my number. But I don't want to be a reserve in the way where I sit out at every race and wait for someone to break their leg," he joked.
Magnussen is excited to focus on sports car racing and aims to win iconic endurance events.
"I'm looking forward to racing. I've always had a passion for other types of motorsport, and my deal with BMW gives me the opportunity to try to win some of the classic long-distance races," he said.
Reflecting on his F1 career, Magnussen expressed satisfaction with what he had achieved.
"Of course Formula 1 was my main dream, my main ambition—I got there, I've been here for 10 years, and it's now a good time to go out. I'm still young, 32, there's still time to go and win some other races."
Magnussen acknowledged that adapting to the current generation of 'ground effect' F1 cars has been challenging.
"In 2022 I didn't really notice because I looked good compared to my teammate," he admitted. "But Nico (Hulkenberg) opened my eyes. He showed me what was possible with these cars."
