Looks like a slight upgrade for Magnussen

Move to US-based Haas would see him guaranteed at least more seasons in Formula 1, with an option for a third

Kevin Magnussen has joined Formula 1 team Haas on a two-year deal with an option to stay for a third, reports BBC Sport.

Preferred to Palmer
The same report claims Magnussen would have been welcome to stay with his current team Renault to race for one more year, but that it could not assure him of his place beyond the end of the 2017 season.

Magnussen was preferred to his British co-driver Jolyon Palmer, who he has outscored 7-1 and out-qualified 12-7 with two races remaining of the season.

An upgrade of sorts
At US-based Haas he replaces Esteban Gutierrez, who has been pointless all season, to link up with France’s Romain Grosjean.

Despite making its debut this season, Grosjean finished fifth for Haas at the Bahrain Grand Prix, and the team are currently eighth in the constructors’ championship, a place and 21 points ahead of Renault.

Palmer, meanwhile, looks set to miss out on returning to Renault. He has now been linked with joining Force India – a team previously interested in acquired Magnussen – along with a number of other drivers, including Gutierrez.