Magnussen AKA ‘KMag’ joins BMW for 2025 as the Dane transitions from Formula 1 to endurance racing – Kevin Magnussen, a familiar face in Formula One circles, is set to begin a new chapter in his motorsport career when he joins BMW’s Le Mans Daytona Hybrid (LMDh) programme for the 2025 season.
The Danish driver, who will return to Formula One in 2022 with Haas after a brief hiatus, will now focus on World Endurance Championship (WEC) and IMSA competition, representing BMW M Motorsport in the BMW M Hybrid V8.
The move to endurance racing comes as Magnussen finds himself without a Formula One seat for the 2025 season. Haas, the American outfit with whom Magnussen made a dramatic return to the grid, have opted for a new driver line-up with Esteban Ocon and rookie sensation Oliver Bearman.
With his Formula One chapter seemingly closed, Magnussen is now embracing the challenges and opportunities of endurance racing, a discipline he has already dabbled in for the 2021 season.
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A new home with BMW M Motorsport
BMW’s LMDh programme marks an ambitious effort in the competitive landscape of endurance racing. The team will field the BMW M Hybrid V8, a car designed to compete at the pinnacle of sports car racing in both the WEC and IMSA series. Magnussen brings a wealth of expertise to the BMW line-up with his decade of experience in Formula 1 and previous involvement in prototype racing.
“I am delighted and proud to represent such an iconic motorsport brand as BMW in some of the world’s most legendary races,” said Magnussen, expressing his excitement at the new venture.
“After ten years in Formula 1, I’m starting an exciting new chapter and I’m looking forward to the challenge of driving some of the most innovative and advanced sports cars in the history of endurance racing. Thank you to BMW M Motorsport for this fantastic opportunity,
“I can’t wait to start the preparations and kick off the 2025 season with the rest of the team.”
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BMW reacts to KMag move
Head of BMW M Motorsport, Andreas Roos, echoed Magnussen’s enthusiasm and highlighted the Danish driver’s credentials as a significant asset to the team.
“Kevin Magnussen is an excellent addition to our LMDh programme. Over the last ten years he has consistently demonstrated his speed at the highest level of Formula One. His vast experience makes him a real asset to our project.”
Roos also pointed to Magnussen’s previous experience in prototype racing, including a season in Chip Ganassi Racing’s Cadillac DPi-V.R in 2021: “The fact that he has already completed a full season in a sports car prototype in 2021 is another advantage for us, as it will certainly make it easier for him to acclimatise to the BMW M Hybrid V8,
“I am delighted that Kevin Magnussen is now part of the BMW M Motorsport family.”
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A proven talent beyond Formula 1
Magnussen’s move to endurance racing is not without precedent. In 2021, the Danish driver competed in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with Chip Ganassi Racing, where he demonstrated his adaptability and skill in a sportscar environment.
The experience included an impressive runner-up finish at the iconic 12 Hours of Sebring, cementing his reputation as a versatile driver capable of excelling in all motorsport disciplines.
Magnussen’s return to Formula One with Haas in 2022 was an unexpected twist in his career, as the team called on him to replace Nikita Mazepin in the wake of global geopolitical developments.
His return was marked by a stellar performance, including a surprise pole position at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix – a first for both Magnussen and the Haas team. Despite these highlights, the 2025 season will see Haas move in a new direction, opening the door for Magnussen to explore other opportunities.
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The allure of endurance racing
Endurance racing offers a different set of challenges to Formula 1. Drivers must master the intricacies of multi-class racing, night driving and long stints at the wheel while sharing duties with co-drivers.
In addition, the technical and strategic demands of managing fuel, tyres and hybrid systems play a crucial role in achieving success in events that can last 6, 12 or even 24 hours.
For Magnussen, the opportunity to compete in iconic races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring is a compelling aspect of this new chapter.
These races not only test the limits of driver and machine, but also hold a unique place in motorsport history, providing a platform for innovation and endurance unlike any other.
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BMW’s ambitions in the LMDh category
The LMDh category represents a convergence of technology and performance as manufacturers such as BMW, Porsche, Toyota and Ferrari vie for supremacy in global endurance racing.
The BMW M Hybrid V8, introduced to the competition in recent seasons, embodies the brand’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of hybrid technology and motorsport engineering.
With the addition of Magnussen, BMW M Motorsport aims to consolidate its position in both the WEC and IMSA series. The team’s investment in top talent reflects its ambition to compete at the highest level and challenge for victories in the world’s most prestigious endurance races.
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Looking ahead to 2025
As Magnussen prepares to embark on this new journey, the 2025 endurance racing season promises to be an exciting spectacle for fans and competitors alike. For Magnussen, it is a chance to reassert his abilities and leave his mark on a different form of motorsport.
For BMW, it’s an opportunity to harness the expertise of a proven Formula 1 driver to further its success in the highly competitive LMDh category.
For Kevin Magnussen, this transition marks the start of an exciting chapter, as he enters the world of endurance racing with the full backing of a manufacturer committed to excellence. As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Magnussen and the BMW M Hybrid V8 as they take on the challenges of endurance racing’s grandest stages.
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