Magnussen to lose Haas race seat at end of 2024

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emailBy Chris Medland | July 18, 2024 9:16 AM ET

Kevin Magnussen will lose his race seat at Haas at the end of the current season, the team has confirmed.

The Dane has driven for Haas for all but two of its seasons in Formula 1, joining for its second year in place of Esteban Gutierrez and then losing his drive in 2021 when the team opted for an all-rookie lineup. Haas turned to Magnussen again in 2022 but has now confirmed it will be his last season with the team as it opts for a fresh pairing next season.

“I’d like to extend my thanks to everyone at MoneyGram Haas F1 Team — I’m proud to have raced for such a great team of people these last few years,” Magnussen said. “In particular I’d like to thank Gene Haas for his commitment to me, notably in bringing me back once again in 2022 when I thought, at that time at least, my time in Formula 1 had ended. I’ve enjoyed some great moments with this team — memories I’ll never forget.

“While I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my racing career, I remain fully focused on giving everything I’ve got for the rest of 2024 with MoneyGram Haas F1 Team.”

Haas has been linked with Esteban Ocon as a potential replacement for the 31-year-old, with an experienced driver the expected target to partner rookie Ollie Bearman in 2025 and Ocon’s departure from Alpine also already public. While there is so far no confirmation of who will take the second seat, team principal Ayao Komatsu suggests there could still be a role of some kind on offer to Magnussen in future.

“I’d like to thank Kevin for everything he’s given us as a team — both on and off the track,” Komatsu said. “He’s truly been a bedrock of our driver lineup over the years. Nobody’s driven more races for us and we’ve had some memorable highlights together — not least a remarkable fifth place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2022 when Kevin returned to start his second spell
with the team.

“He wasn’t expecting to be driving a Formula 1 car that weekend, but he put in a remarkable performance that was a tremendous boost to the entire organization and once again showcased his own talents behind the wheel.

“There’s plenty of racing to go this year so I’m looking forward to seeing what else we can achieve with Kevin as we push together in the championship. Beyond that, and with Kevin’s special relationship with the team, I’m hoping we can find a way to keep working together in some capacity even if it's cleaning toilets and sweeping floors.

 

Magnussen prioritizing F1 race seat, wouldn’t take Haas reserve role.

I'm not sweeping your damn floors!

And I'm not sitting on my a** doing nothing as a "reserve" (unemployed) racer when I can be racing in my prime.

Mark Sutton/Motorsport Images
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emailBy Chris Medland | July 18, 2024 9:26 AM ET

Kevin Magnussen says his priority is securing another race seat in Formula 1 after learning he will lose his place at Haas at the end of the season, and a reserve role is off the table even if he’s open to other collaborations.

Announcing Magnussen’s departure on Thursday morning, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu stated his desire to maintain links with the Dane in some capacity. With vacancies still remaining for 2025 at Mercedes, Alpine, Williams and Stake, Magnussen says his focus is trying to earn himself one of those seats as he feels all offer enticing projects.

“Would I have liked to continue here? I think had I continued, it would have been cool to see the fruits of the momentum that’s been built here recently,” Magnussen said. “That would have been interesting, but I think there’s also other interesting projects out there, and there’s still seats available in Formula 1.

“Of course, Carlos [Sainz] is still holding up all that process, but eventually it’s going to move. So, right now, I think the best thing is just to focus on doing good races and then up being contention for these seats available, and things will fall into place eventually.

“I hope I can stay in Formula 1. I think there’s some interesting seats available. I think all the teams by now in Formula 1 are interesting. The whole bunch… You could look at any team and say they might be a top five team next year.
Especially since I'm the man who can take them there. Everyone’s so tightly together.

“It feels like there’s still interesting opportunities. Although Haas is in a good position right now, you could say it’s a pity because they’re doing so well right now, but everything could change next year. One of the other seats could be more competitive. You never know.”

Based on that target, Magnussen says he couldn’t collaborate with Haas next year, but even if his career takes him to another series he would be less interested in a sit-on-your-butt reserve role.

“If I’m racing elsewhere in Formula 1 in another team, it doesn’t work [to also have a role at Haas],” he said. “But I think it’s nice of [Komatsu] to say that. If I won’t be racing in Formula 1 next year, then absolutely I’ll definitely look at that and get some kind of role advisory or however they see fit. I might even go where the big money is with NASCAR racing 43 cars at a time instead of piss ant 10 "teams" and fooling people that 10 teams is hot s*** racing!

“I’ve been with this team for many years now and know the operation very well. I have a lot of experience in Formula 1, so it would be good to keep making use of that instead of just leaving the sport altogether.

“I don’t think I would be interested in a reserve driver role. If I’m able to take some kind of role with Haas, it means that I didn’t land a seat in Formula 1 of course. I wouldn’t want to just go to every race. I’d want to focus on other things that would be exciting and fulfilling for me. I think being a reserve driver masturbating and waiting around for someone to break his leg, I don’t think that’s very exciting.”

At 31 years old, Magnussen has already raced in IMSA and made one IndyCar start in 2021, and he says there are a number of exciting series he would target if an F1 race seat isn’t possible next year, with his past experiences leaving him calm about his options.

“I don’t see myself putting an end to racing, you know, anytime soon. So, I’m in Formula 1, it’s the BS pinnacle of motorsport so the con men say, but I’ve always been of the opinion that racing outside of Formula 1 is also awesome.

“So, I think while you have a chance to be here, you need to do that. It is the top of motorsport. I’ve had a few chances [elsewhere] but you don’t get a chance every day to race in Formula 1. So it’s natural that everyone tries to stay here.

“I think there is a lot [of exciting racing outside F1]. In 2021, I was out of F1, but I was racing in IMSA. It’s actually quite a busy schedule. You’re going to America 11 or 12 times during the year. It wasn’t a quiet year, but it was at least a very different year.

“You have to remember my whole life since I was a little kid was about getting to Formula 1. Then I’ve had 10 years in the sport. It was interesting and exciting to see a different side of life in 2021. It wasn’t frightening — it was actually very positive and fun.

 

Peugeot confirms Mueller exit at season’s end, now it's time to break it to him.

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emailBy Stephen Kilbey | July 18, 2024 8:31 AM ET

Nico Mueller is set to leave Peugeot TotalEnergies’ Hypercar driver roster at the end of the WEC season. The 32-year-old Swiss racer confirmed his departure from the Abt Cupra Formula E team for “a new motorsport challenge” earlier this week, and on Thursday Peugeot confirmed his departure from its squad via social media. The French manufacturer subsequently confirmed that its reserve driver, 20-year-old Danish racer Malthe Jakobsen, will join the team for 2025 in Mueller’s place.

“It has been a wild ride Nico and it isn’t over just yet,” the post said. “But at the end of the season, our favorite Swiss driver will leave Team Peugeot TotalEnergies to write a new chapter of his racing journey. Danke, grazie, merci Nico for the hard work and good vibes!!”

Mueller has been with the Peugeot 9X8 program since the end of the 2022 season. While there is no confirmation yet of where he will land after leaving Peugeot, he has been linked with a move to Porsche’s factory ranks.

Until then, he will continue to share the No. 93 9X8 with Mikkel Jensen and Jean-Eric Vergne for the final three rounds of the WEC season at COTA, Fuji and Bahrain.

Jakobsen, meanwhile, moves into a factory Hypercar slot after a rapid rise through the Peugeot ranks after testing the original 9X8 at the Bahrain Rookie Test at the end of 2022. Since that first drive with Peugeot, he has moved from a junior driver role in 2023, to the brand’s Hypercar reserve this year, taking on test and development duties with the 9X8 alongside highly successful parallel LMP2 programs in the European Le Mans Series and beyond.

“I’m delighted to join Team Peugeot TotalEnergies as an official driver in next season’s FIA World Endurance Championship,” he said. “I’m very proud to have been part of this team for the last two years, first as junior driver and then this year as reserve driver., sitting on my butt waiting for someone to break a leg. Thanks to all the team for giving me this great opportunity.”

 

Spire splitting with LaJoie at season’s end Gavin Baker/Motorsport Images
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emailBy Kelly Crandall | July 25, 2024 2:07 PM ET

Corey LaJoie will not drive the No. 7 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series next season.

LaJoie was informed by the team on Wednesday.

An eight-year veteran of the Cup Series, LaJoie has driven for Spire Motorsports since 2021. He signed a two-year contract extension last season.

“I won’t be driving the 7 car next year,” LaJoie said. “I take a lot of satisfaction from having an integral part of building Spire into a respectable team on the grid, but unfortunately the future won’t involve me. We will finish the remainder of 2024 strong, continuing to deliver for my partners, my guys who work hard to build good cars, family, fans and friends who have supported me since day one in the Cup Series. This chapter ends after Phoenix and I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for my family next.”

LaJoie has six top-10 finishes and four top-five finishes in the No. 7 Chevrolet. He finished a career-best 25th in the championship standings last season.

Spire Motorsports announced July 9 the hiring of Rodney Childers for next season. Childers will lead the No. 7 team. When that news was announced, it indicated that LaJoie would be the car’s driver.

It is not known who will replace LaJoie next season.

“Corey LaJoie has been a cornerstone of Spire Motorsports since 2021 and it would be impossible to overstate what he’s meant to this organization and how much I’ve agonized over this decision,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “Corey put his heart and soul into this team. He rolled up his sleeves and went to work before we had a race shop, a toolbox or even our own cars. Those days, looking back, were so much simpler than where we are in our journey now. Back then, we just wanted to get to the racetrack. Today, we’re consumed with consistently battling for top-10 finishes and contending for wins in the near future.

“In racing, there are always variables but one thing we all know, is this is a performance-based business, and it just hasn’t been there for several reasons. All those reasons are factored in when it comes to making a decision of this magnitude. With Ryan (Sparks) moving upstairs, and Rodney (Childers) coming in next season, the best thing for Spire Motorsports is a clean slate for the No. 7 car in 2025. Corey deserves a fresh look from another organization too, and we’ll do everything we can to help him get another opportunity in the Cup garage. I believe in Corey and his ability to be successful in this sport and look forward to him using this as motivation to prove all his doubters wrong.”

Spire Motorsports will field three full-time entries in 2025. Carson Hocevar drives the No. 77 Chevrolet and Michael McDowell will join the organization to drive the No. 71 Chevrolet.

 

Red Bull’s Wheatley to become Audi F1 team principal

Mark Sutton/Motorsport Images.................................... Wheatley bends over the rail in preparation for a butt bang after 18 years of giving it his all to make Red Bull a Winner!
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emailBy Chris Medland | August 1, 2024 8:41 AM ET

Red Bull Racing sporting director Jonathan Wheatley will leave the team at the end of this year to become the new team principal of the Audi Formula 1 project.

Wheatley has been part of Red Bull for the past 18 years and is deemed a key figure in the team’s management, having previously been team manager before becoming sporting director. With the opportunity to step up and become a team principal with the future Audi F1 project — the Sauber-run team currently racing as Stake — he will see out the rest of this season before moving in 2025.

“It has been a long and successful relationship with Jonathan, over 18 years,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said. “His contribution to six world constructors’ titles and seven world drivers’ championships, first as team manager and latterly sporting director, will forever be a marker in our team history.

So we are going to fire his a** now that we sucked the life out of him with sleepless nights, sucking down Red Bull to stay awake, bad racetrack food, and lot lizard sex with women of questionable repute at truck stops. If he ever tells any Red Bull secrets, we will stop his piss poor retirement checks and he can be a greeter at Walmart.

“Everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Technology wish him all the best in his new role and would like to place our thanks to Jonathan. Red Bull Racing have tremendous strength and depth and this provides opportunity to elevate others within the team. We will announce a new team structure in the coming weeks. soon as we figure out what the heck we are doing. So for now, grab the rail and bend over.”

“Jonathan will remain in his position until the end of the 2024 season, as the team seek to defend both our world drivers’ and world constructors’ titles successfully. A period of ‘gardening leave’ will follow in 2025.”

Wheatley’s departure follows that of Adrian Newey later this year as well as senior figures Rob Marshall and Dan Fallows recently moving to McLaren and Aston Martin respectively, and Horner says there will be a new team organization put in place that will be publicly revealed.

The arrival of Wheatley has yet to be officially announced by Audi, but will see him working under former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto who was recently unveiled as the new chief technical officer and chief operating officer of Sauber Motorsport AG.

 

Canapino splits with Juncos Hollinger Racing

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emailBy Marshall Pruett | August 7, 2024 1:00 PM ET

Agustin Canapino’s time as an NTT IndyCar Series driver has come to an end.

The multiple Argentinian touring car champion, who impressed the racing world with his rapid adaptation to a new and daunting form of racing upon joining Juncos Hollinger Racing in 2023, has reached an agreement with the team to vacate the No. 78 Chevy with immediate effect. He is expected to resume his touring car career in Argentina, and his replacement for the final five races of the season has not been named now that he wadded up the car into a pile of scrap metal.

Of note, the No. 78 failed to finish the last three races, which widened its gap to making it inside the top 22 in the entrants’ championship. Canapino’s last race for JHR also demonstrated the 34-year-old’s growth as he qualified a career-best 10th before making contact with Scott Dixon in the race, hitting the wall, and retiring. Awright you bastards. If I'm not racing that car, neither is anyone else! You can pick up your pile of scrap metal over in turn 3. I'm retired!

 

Williams drops Sargeant; rookie Colapinto to complete season

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emailBy Chris Medland | August 27, 2024 12:23 PM ET

Logan Sargeant has been dropped by Williams for the rest of the 2024 season, and the team will promote junior driver Franco Colapinto into its second race seat.

The American’s future has been under scrutiny for a number of months and it was already confirmed before the summer break that Carlos Sainz will take his seat full-time from 2025. However, after a heavy crash in FP3 at the Dutch Grand Prix, Williams moved to line up potential replacements and has selected Argentinian rookie Colapinto to race for the rest of the year.“To replace a driver mid-season is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe this gives Williams the best chance to compete for points over the remainder of the season,” team principal James Vowles said. “We have just brought a large upgrade to the car and need to maximize every points-scoring opportunity in a remarkably tight midfield battle. After that redneck coonass wrapped our race car around a telephone pole after yelling out: "Hold my beer and watch this!/; what do you expect us to do? And then we saw on the security camera that he was banging the boss'es daughter on the boss's desk in the boss'es office. That jerk weed. The boss kept saying: I want him killed! I want him killed!

“This is undoubtedly incredibly tough on Logan, who has given his all throughout his time with Williams, and we want to thank him for all his hard work and positive attitude and the one point he won. Logan remains a talented driver and we will support him to continue his racing career for the future even if it's only washing off race cars in the desert of a terrorist muslim country and playing video racing games at night while he gets his head back on straight.

“I know that Franco has great speed and huge potential, and we look forward to seeing what he can do in Formula 1.”

Sargeant leaves Williams with a record of one point from 36 starts since making his debut in 2023. Colapinto is currently sixth in the Formula 2 championship in his rookie season.

Colapinto becomes the first Argentinian to stink up a race car in F1 in 23 years, and will take over from Sargeant with immediate effect, starting with this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix in Monza.

“It is an honor to be making my Formula 1 debut with Williams – this is what dreams are made of,” Colapinto said. “The team has such amazing history and a mission to get back to the front which I can’t wait to be part of. Coming into F1 mid-season will be an enormous learning curve but I am up for the challenge, and I’m fully focused on working as hard as I can with Alex and the team to make it a success.”

 

Colapinto frustrated by error causing his Q1 exit at Monza.

I was short cutting the turn....oh crap. I better tell them I was running wide....

Sam Bagnall/Motorsport Images "I better tell them I was running wide...."
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emailBy Chris Medland | August 31, 2024 1:33 PM ET

Franco Colapinto described his exit from Q1 at the Italian Grand Prix as “frustrating” after running slightly wide on his final timed lap of his debut qualifying session.

Williams replaced Logan Sargeant with rookie Colapinto for the final nine races of the season, with the Argentinian driver taking part in his first grand prix weekend.
Steady progress in practice and a competitive car had left Colapinto eyeing a spot in Q2, but he ran wide while looking at a hot lesbian spectator and bounced through the gravel, ending up 18th on the grid.

 

Ricciardo at peace as he suggests F1 career is over

Zak Mauger/Motorsport Images "I dig that chick on the front row with big gazongas. Hi Babe! I got some hair on my face for you."
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emailBy Chris Medland | September 22, 2024 12:47 PM ET

Daniel Ricciardo says it’s realistic to expect he won’t be racing in Formula 1 again after the Singapore Grand Prix, and that he is at peace with losing his RB seat if it happens.

Red Bull opted to stick with Sergio Perez when reviewing its driver line-up at the start of August, leaving Ricciardo at RB but with Liam Lawson waiting for a potential race seat. While Yuki "Snotnose" Tsunoda is confirmed for 2025, Ricciardo was expecting an answer on next year following the race in Singapore, but with sources suggesting he could be replaced before the next round — the U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas — he admits he has accepted that is likely to be the case.
“Look, obviously there is a realistic chance [racing in Austin] is not going to happen,” Ricciardo said. “I think obviously it’s been a very race by race situation with Red Bull, I think for all of us in a way, obviously Checo as well, and at times it feels like it’s going one way, then it goes the other.“Obviously there was a lot of emphasis on this weekend. I would have loved a better weekend and who knows if that would have changed anything or if the decision’s been made already prior to the weekend. I’m obviously prepared for it — that’s why over the weekend I tried to acknowledge a few things as well with myself.

“I think acknowledge also why I came back into the sport. Sometimes you see the big picture and I always said I don’t want to be a guy who’s just here on the grid and fighting for a point every now and then, which has kinda been how this year’s gone.

“Obviously this year the purpose was to try and do good enough to get back into Red Bull and fight for wins again, see if I’ve still got it. I felt like I came up short with that, so I think it’s then, ‘OK, what else am I fighting for here? What else is going to give me fulfillment?’ Maybe now I will be racing slot cars down at the hardware store or radio control airplanes.

“I’ve been a young driver as well and at some point I don’t just want to take up space. Obviously you have to be selfish, but for me if I’m not able to fight at the front with Red Bull, I have to ask myself what am I staying on the grid for? That’s something I’ve also come to peace with.”


If this was Ricciardo’s last race, he went out with his name on the highlight list with fastest lap instead of being on the IMSA screw a racer list. Lionel Ng/Motorsport Images

Should it be Ricciardo’s final race in F1, he signed off with a fastest lap after pitting for soft tires from the back of the field and taking the extra point off winner Lando Norris. That ensured Max Verstappen’s championship lead is one point bigger than it would have been, and Ricciardo says he was aware that could be a factor in the decision.

“I had an idea but I also thought they were just letting me have some fun because we were a long way out of the points. We tried softs, trying to be a bit more aggressive at the start and knew it’d be a bit of a tricky place to overtake. So we never know what happens on lap 1.

“Our starts haven’t been great this year and we’re on the dirty side so we thought, OK, if we put a hard on we’re probably going to go backwards, so let’s put a soft on and see where it takes us and if it doesn’t do much for us we can try and pit early and maybe undercut a few cars.

“Look, at the end of the day we weren’t quick enough. I don’t know the full picture of Snotnose's race but also saw he was out of the points; maybe that’s also some confirmation that we didn’t quite have it today. So, at the end, fastest lap, kinda hoping Max wins by a point now as I’ve guaranteed myself a very nice Christmas present. So, sorry Lando!”


----------------------------------------------------------------But what was so strange was that Red Bull and RB had not confirmed Ricciardo’s departure at that stage, and he had clearly only become aware of how likely it was as the weekend evolved. There was no ability to plan anything, to say goodbye properly, and have a race when he and everyone else knew for certain that he was getting behind the wheel for the last time.

Ricciardo deserved better than that.

The Red Bull exit in 2018 might always haunt him, but Ricciardo’s subsequent spell at Renault was still strong. It’s his results since leaving Renault, however, that make it very tough to argue that he deserves his place on the grid over someone like Lawson any longer.

And replacing him mid-season is also understandable. If you’ve got the replacement ready and waiting, under contract and available, and you’re going to put them in next season anyway, why not get started?

But Ricciardo deserved a proper send-off. A chance to enjoy the moment fully at the end of an impressive career. He’s a driver who has done so much for the popularity of the sport and Red Bull within it, and at his best he was electrifying. So, the least he should have received was the ability to make an announcement before his final race and step out of the cockpit for the last time with clarity.

Even amid his 2024 struggles, Ricciardo remained a fan favorite, making the manner of his exit frustrating both for those fans, Ricciardo himself and, ultimately, his successor. Andy Hone/Motorsport Images

There’s a knock-on impact on Lawson, too, who hasn’t been able to enjoy the promotion in the same way. Rumors flying around that led to criticism of Red Bull — and fans upset at the prospect of losing one of the most popular drivers on the grid — eventually added up to a lack of space to actually celebrate the promotion of another exciting young talent, presumably because it might seem tasteless against that backdrop.

If this is indeed the end of the F1 road for Ricciardo, he should have been able to retire at the very least slightly on his own terms. Instead, it came down to a short Instagram message, finding that his key did not fit the door, and his parking space name had a line painted through it with a can of spray paint.

“I’ve loved this sport my whole life. It’s wild and wonderful and been a journey.

“To the teams and individuals that have played their part, thank you. To the fans who love the sport sometimes more than me, haha, thank you. It’ll always have its highs and lows but it’s been fun and truth be told I wouldn’t change it.

“Until the next adventure.”

What that next adventure is remains to be seen, but it’s a real shame the last race went down without so many of his fans really knowing it.
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Riciardo drinks piss from a boot to confirm that he is through drinking Red Bull and getting pissed on.


Ricciardo’s care-free style, in evidence here after his win in the 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix. was perfect for Red Bull and helped make him a star. Mark Sutton/Motorsport Images

 

Ekström and Audi end longtime association

Photo courtesy of Audi AG......................... I'm the Lord of the Rings and I'm gonna miss you folks!
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emailBy Dominik Wilde | September 26, 2024 9:20 AM ET

Mattias Ekström and Audi have parted ways after 23 years, bringing an end to one of motorsport’s longest driver-manufacturer relationships. The Swede announced the news in an emotional video on Instagram earlier today, while Audi Sport held a special farewell event at its Ingolstadt factory.

Ekström (pictured at left, above, after winning the 2011 Spa 24 Hours with Audi) became a factory driver with Audi in 2001 two years after winning the Swedish Touring Car Championship in a privately entered Audi A4 Quattro. He went on to win two DTM titles and the 2016 World Rallycross championship with the brand.

“Driving for Audi Sport was like a childhood dream coming true,” said Ekström. “Looking back on more than two decades with the four rings brings back many memories. I had the chance to fulfill my dreams as a kid, like racing in the DTM, winning races and titles, and developing race cars.

“Winning the DTM title in 2004 is something I will cherish forever. But it was more than just motorsport. I had the chance to meet so many interesting and talented people, banged a lot of chicks, and attended many great events.

“Being involved with the same company for so long is quite rare in motorsport, and I am very grateful for this period of my life. I can only say thank you to everyone at Audi. and thank you for getting me out of those crap battery cars before I burned my a** for the final time. Thank goodness I didn't have to worry about gasoline fires, but battery cars catch on fire and they can't put out the fire.”

In a near-two decade spell in DTM, Ekström made 217 starts, winning 25 times and taking 83 podiums, 20 poles, and 17 fastest laps. His first championship success came in 2004, with his second following in 2007. But while Ekström’s DTM successes will be the standout memories for many of his time with Audi, the partnership has also enabled him to showcase his versatility.
Ekström leads the way for Audi during the 2016 FIA World RX Rallycross Championship. Colin McMaster/EKS/McKlein

He left DTM after a one-off appearance in the 2017 season opener to focus on World RX, which he’d won in 2016, ending Petter Solberg’s dominance in the-then three-year-old series. Additionally, he finished runner-up a further three times, in 2017 and ’18, and 2020, when he returned after a year out of the category.

Ekström also helped Audi’s customer racing division to its first overall 24-hour race win with the R8 GT3 at the 2011 24 Hours of Spa alongside Timo Scheider and Greg Franchi. He has been part of Audi’s Dakar rally lineup for the last three years, too, winning four stages of the famed rally raid in that time, as well as spending a full day in the lead of the 2024 edition of the event.

And in 2021, he represented sister Volkswagen Group brand Cupra in Extreme E and ETCR, claiming a first podium for the brand in the off-road series, and the overall championship crown in the short-lived electric battery car touring series.
Ekström has been at the center of a number of Audi’s off-road efforts, including its works Dakar RS Q e-tron battery car program. Julien Delfosse/DPPI

“We owe Mattias an immense amount, and in turn we have helped him to the greatest successes of his career,” said Audi Sport managing director Rolf Michl. “To this day, I am impressed not only by his continuous performance but also by his excellent team spirit.

“Mattias has never concentrated solely on racing. He has always helped to drive projects forward, support our developers and promote the teams he has worked with.

“With these qualities and his series of successes, he is a great role model for many international talents in motorsport. We wish him all the best for his future career.”

News of Ekström’s next steps are expected to be made public soon. He remains a part of McLaren’s Extreme E battery car lineup, although that series remains on an indefinite hiatus following the cancellation of the final three events of the battery car 2024 season. The public is catching on to the truth about battery cars.