Nico Hulkenberg reflects on Magnussen’s Miami Penalties, believing his performance during the Miami Grand Prix did not solely serve Haas.
Disagreeing with Magnussen’s claim that his defensive actions were team-orientated, Hulkenberg found them more self-serving.
Magnussen’s driving style in Miami, resulting in penalties, helped Hulkenberg maintain a gap ahead of Hamilton and Tsunoda behind, securing seventh place and a points finish.
In response to Magnussen’s post-race comment admitting to deserving the penalties but framing them as sacrifices for the team. Hulkenberg expressed a different view. Speaking to RacingNews365 at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, he said, “That’s where I disagree a little bit.”
He implied that Magnussen’s primary motive was personal rather than team-centric, pinpointing the Danish driver’s pursuit of a single-point finish over broader team objectives.
Regarding Magnussen’s accumulation of FIA super license penalty points, placing him at risk of a race ban, Hulkenberg refrained from an extensive discussion of the system.
While acknowledging the severity of the consequences, he steered clear of engagement with the topic. Instead, focusing on his racing performance.
“But yeah, now recently, I also see ‘under investigation’ quite often, but it’s not always that there is action.”
“So again, you try to stay away from incidents, you try to stay clear as a driver and clean, so that you’re not losing energy and focus with these kinds of subjects.”
Room for FIA Improvement?
Asked in the Drivers Conference about being close to a ban, Magnussen said: “The fact that I’m at risk of a race ban for driving outside of some white lines on a piece of tarmac, I don’t know if that is right.“
He clarified, “There are more races now than when that was introduced. You can end up getting a race ban for a minor thing.”
He believes drivers should be told by the FIA to give back positions to avoid harsh consequences in cases such as his.
Disagreeing with Hulkenberg’s reflection on his penalties, he still believes his actions were for the greater good of the team. “These situations where I’ve had to play the support role for my teammate, they have been paying off. It’s been kind of valuable to us.“
“I don’t love the way the rules are, that it’s possible. I would love it to not be possible at all.”
This follows Alonso’s plea for consistency with how the FIA and stewards use the driving guidelines. Following penalties at the Australian Grand Prix and Shanghai Sprint. A sentiment that was shared with Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz in the press conference ahead of Imola.
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Image Credit: Mark Sutton/Sutton Images and Alexander Trienitz/LAT Images.