Kevin Magnussen has expressed that he is "at peace," despite being among several drivers who seem likely to miss out on the final vacancy on the Formula 1 grid for 2025.
Red Bull's junior team, RB, is expected to select from its own talent pool to fill its second seat next season, which means only the Audi-owned Sauber team, currently sitting last in the constructors' standings, has a legitimate race seat still open.
It is therefore noteworthy that, as reported by Auto Bild, Monza will mark Mattia Binotto's first appearance in his new role with Sauber-Audi, accompanied by Audi CEO Gernot Dollner.
There are numerous candidates vying for this last spot, including current drivers Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou, as well as Mick Schumacher, and possibly even Daniel Ricciardo or Sergio Perez.
Bottas is thought to be the leading candidate, but speculation suggests he may be asked to accept a pay cut for 2025 and settle for a one-year deal, although he is aiming for a contract extending two or preferably three years.
Another contender could be Ferrari test driver Robert Shwartzman, who had the opportunity to drive the current Ferrari-powered Sauber or 'Stake' car during Friday practice at Zandvoort.
However, his nationality might pose a problem, with Audi potentially hesitant to sign a Russian driver.
Even Shwartzman's recent switch to racing under an Israeli license could present complications for the German manufacturer.
Kevin Magnussen, who is also without a contract for next season, has struggled this year to keep pace with his Haas teammate Nico Hulkenberg, who is already secured to drive for Audi-Sauber from 2025 onwards.
The 31-year-old Danish driver admitted to France's Auto Hebdo that he is considering a move to WEC or IndyCar for 2025.
"Yes, all of that," Magnussen replied when asked if he was contemplating other racing series outside of F1. "I think everything is possible in that case."
"At the moment I am in Formula 1 and there are still some places available for next year. So I will see what is available and I will make my decision once I am there. I want to see where it all ends up and then I will consider things after that. At the moment, nothing has been decided and discussions are still ongoing, but what will I do if I don't find a place in Formula 1? I'm not too stressed," Magnussen stated.
"I'm at peace whatever happens, but I think at the moment there is no news to report on my future. Nothing has been decided."
Insiders suggest that Magnussen had been in discussions quite recently with Sauber boss Andreas Seidl, as they have a well-established relationship. However, Seidl was then removed and replaced by former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto.
Binotto and Magnussen are also familiar with one another, as the Danish driver was briefly considered for a Ferrari seat several years ago. Magnussen has also spent considerable time working in Ferrari's simulator, owing to Haas' technical partnership with the Italian team.
