Kevin Magnussen returns to Haas to replace outed Nikita Mazepin

Formula 1 veteran Kevin Magnussen will return to the Haas F1 team to replace Russian driver Nikita Mazepin.

Kevin Magnussen at the F1 pre-season test in Bahrain. (LAT Photo/Haas F1 Team)

Mazepin's contract and accompanying sponsorship deal with Uralkali were terminated after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, leaving the team with just one driver days out from the F1 pre-season test.

Haas have now announced that Magnussen, who race for Haas from 2017 to 2020, will rejoin the team on a multi-year deal.

"I was obviously very surprised but equally very excited to receive the call from Haas F1 Team," said Magnussen.

"I was looking in a different direction regarding my commitments for 2022 but the opportunity to return to compete in Formula 1, and with a team I know extremely well, was simply too appealing."

Magnussen, while only 29, has 119 career Formula 1 starts, with a career-high ninth place finish in the Drivers' Championship with Haas in 2018.

"I’m delighted to welcome Kevin Magnussen back to Haas F1 Team," said Guenther Steiner, Team Principal of Haas F1 Team.

"When looking for a driver who could bring value to the team, not to mention a wealth of Formula 1 experience, Kevin was a straightforward decision for us."

The revised driver lineup for Haas F1 team in 2022 of Mick Schumacher and Kevin Magnussen. (LAT Photo/Haas F1 Team)

The Danish driver joins Mick Schumacher at the American team for the 2022 season.

"Kevin’s immediate availability means we can tap into him as a resource for pre-season testing alongside both Mick Schumacher and Pietro Fittipaldi," said Steiner.

"Pietro’s going to be first in this week with half a day’s running at the test on Thursday – that’s a great opportunity for him, with Mick and Kevin doing the rest ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix."

"Kevin was a key component in our previous successes – not least when we both scored our best finishes in Formula 1 back in 2018."

"He continued to show last year that he’s an elite race car driver adding wins and podiums to his resume."

"As a veteran presence in both the garage and the engineering room, he’ll provide a solid benchmark for us with the on-going development of the VF-22."

"We’re all looking forward to welcoming Kevin back this week in Bahrain."