Kevin Magnussen, the 32-year-old Danish driver, is set to make his last appearance behind the wheel of the Haas F1 car this Sunday in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. With a decade-long journey in Formula 1 that began in 2014 with McLaren, his time in the premier motorsport series is coming to an end. However, he isn't hanging up his racing boots just yet. In 2025, he will continue to race, but this time in the world of endurance racing as a works driver for BMW M Motorsport.

A Legend's Transition from F1 to Endurance Racing

Kevin Magnussen's F1 Journey

After an impressive 185 F1 races, Magnussen is all set to drive the M Hybrid V8 in the next season. BMW M Motorsport's flagship racing car will see him compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA series. Although he has yet to claim an F1 race win, his first-ever race was a podium finish. In 2014, he secured second place at the Australian Grand Prix. His best year in F1 was 2018 when he finished ninth in the drivers' standings. He isn't a stranger to prototype racing either, having participated in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, where he achieved one victory and five podium finishes.

Previous Le Mans Experience

If Magnussen drives the M Hybrid V8 at Le Mans, it won't be his first time on the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe. In 2021, he drove the Oreca 07 for the High Class Racing team and finished 29th in the overall standings and 17th in the LMP2 class. This previous experience gives him an edge as he embarks on this new chapter in endurance racing.

His Thoughts on the New Opportunity

Kevin Magnussen expressed his excitement about representing BMW M Motorsport in some of the world's most legendary races. After a decade in Formula 1, he is ready to take on a new challenge in the most innovative and advanced sports cars in the history of endurance racing. He is grateful to BMW M Motorsport for this fantastic opportunity and can't wait to start the preparations and kick off the 2025 season with the rest of the team.

Valentino Rossi's Test Drive

Last month, another significant name in motorsport got to experience the M Hybrid V8. MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi piloted the electrified V8 endurance race car. His test, which was supposed to take place in 2023, was postponed. His debut in the range-topping M racer occurred during the Rookie Test in Bahrain. This showcases the growing interest and participation in endurance racing among different motorsport legends.