Audi-Sauber Eyes Magnussen for 2025: Key Qualities Count

Audi-Sauber evaluates Kevin Magnussen, spotlighting his standout skills on track and appealing value amidst 2025’s limited seat options.

Kevin Magnussen could emerge as a surprise candidate for a 2025 seat with Sauber, owned by Audi F1.

This is the last true vacancy on next year’s grid, yet negotiations with potential teammates for Nico Hulkenberg—including current driver Valtteri Bottas—have been significantly delayed.

Some believe this delay stems from Audi’s complex negotiations over potential loan agreements with Williams and McLaren for Franco Colapinto and Gabriel Bortoleto, respectively.

Others suggest that the Volkswagen Group’s severe financial crisis could be a factor, as the German giant prepares to close three factories, cut tens of thousands of jobs, and reduce wages by 10%.

In this context, Kevin Magnussen could present an ideal and affordable solution for Audi-Sauber.

The 32-year-old Dane has played little part in the driver market this season, having consistently trailed Hulkenberg.

However, behind the wheel of Haas F1’s latest version debuted in Austin, Magnussen is suddenly impressing—holding his ground even with Hulkenberg in Mexico.

Magnussen believes earlier Haas F1 cars simply didn’t suit his driving style.

“We made some adjustments to the brakes, for instance, which gave me a lot of confidence in the car. Now, I just have to try to hold onto that confidence, as something unusual happened over the last two races that gave me a car I can really push.”

Haas boss Ayao Komatsu agrees that Magnussen deserves to secure a seat elsewhere for 2025.

“His pace in the second stint (in Mexico) was incredible. He overtook Verstappen and finished just four seconds behind him at the end. It might be the best driving I’ve ever seen from Kevin.”

“He deserves to stay in F1, and I know a team is now interested in him.”

That team is, of course, Sauber. Mattia Binotto reached out to the Dane to discuss his financial terms, and a meeting reportedly took place in Austin, where the Italian was present. According to some sources, Magnussen’s salary expectations are notably lower than Valtteri Bottas’s, which could aid the team’s budget in this challenging period for Audi/VW.

One to watch!