Magnussen: 'I am not a babysitter' amid Bearman rumours

Kevin Magnussen has asserted he is not in Formula 1 "to take care of young kids" as Oliver Bearman is touted as Nico Hulkenberg's replacement at Haas.

The 31-year-old admitted he did not expect Hulkenberg to leave the team for Stake and an eventual Audi drive, with Ferrari junior Bearman heavily-tipped to be his replacement, having already been set for six FP1 sessions this year.

Bearman's stand-out performance of seventh on a last-minute debut for Ferrari for the appendicitis-stricken Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia added further momentum in his bid for a full-time 2025 seat, with Haas boss Ayao Komatsu keen on the Briton.

But Magnussen has delivered a blunt response to the suggestion of Bearman joining.

"I'm not really here to take care of young kids. I do that at home," Magnussen snapped back to media including RacingNews365 when it was suggested he would take care of Bearman, with comparisons being drawn to when Mick Schumacher was his team-mate in 2022.

"So hopefully the guy we have in the car will be competent, professional and consistent like Nico has been, and we'll see if I'll be in the other car."

'I'm not really here to take care of young kids'

The Dane also expressed his surprise at Hulkenberg's defection after two seasons with the team - and gave an update into his own future.

"Honestly, I thought it would be me and Nico again next year - I thought that would be likely," he added.

"I wish him all the best [with Sauber and Audi] and we'll continue focusing and enjoying this year, continuing the progress that we've made as a team."

"Maybe, yeah. Maybe," Magnussen responded when it was put to him that it helps his chances of being retained at Haas, adding: "I think it's still a very open market, lots of seats available, lots of drivers available."

"There have not been concrete talks, but obviously, when you're part of the team, you're talking all the time. So, I think more focus is on the season than anything else.

"I'm like everyone else, focused on this year and at the same time open to any opportunity."