In a series of very wild and unexpected events, Kevin Magnussen finds himself back in the Formula 1 seat that he left back in 2020 (alongside Romain Grosjean) to make room for the two new rookies, Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin.

After the Haas F1 team’s decision to cut ties with former title sponsor Uralkali because of the Russian-Ukraine war, Nikita Mazepin’s contract as a driver was also terminated effective immediately.

This left the team with an empty slot to fill. Rumors were abuzz that reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi would be the prime choice to take the seat, alongside former F1 driver Antonio Giovanazzi, Aston Martin reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg, and Alpine reserve driver and Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri.

But the team has decided to reach out and sign the former Haas driver once again with a multiyear contract agreement, no less. He’ll be making his reappearance at the official preseason testing in Bahrain from March 10-12, driving the Haas VF-22.

Kevin Magnussen’s reentry was a bit of a surprise, considering that he had an ongoing contract with Chip Ganassi Racing in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, and he was slated to race for Peugeot in this year’s 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship. Even Magnussen himself was equally surprised, saying:

“I was obviously very surprised but equally very excited to receive the call from Haas F1 Team. 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. I really have to say thank you to both Peugeot and Chip Ganassi Racing for releasing me promptly–both are great organizations.”

For those unfamiliar with the Danish driver’s accolades, he has had 119 F1 starts, with a podium finish on his debut race in the 2014 Australian Grand Prix. He has raced for the McLaren and Renault teams before his stint with the Haas F1 team from 2017-2020.

His career outside of Formula 1 in 2021 saw him join the IMSA SportsCar Championship with Chip Ganassi Racing, a 24 Hours of Le Mans debut in the LMP2 category under High Class Racing, and a one-off IndyCar appearance for Arrow McLaren SP.