FIA now accepts Magnussen block was too late

Magnussen moved to the right on the start-finish straight at Suzuka just as Leclerc attempted to pass him, which resulted in contact that damaged Leclerc’s Sauber and led to Magnussen’s retirement. 

However, Magnussen escaped sanction and FIA race director Charlie Whiting later said that the stewards felt that both the Haas driver and Leclerc had moved right at the same time and it was “impossible” to say Magnussen had blocked him.

Yet in the United States Grand Prix driver’s briefing on Friday evening, Whiting told the drivers that after reviewing the incident it had been accepted that Magnussen had moved too late.

He went on to note that drivers should be aware of the consequences of making a late move to defend if a car is approaching at a higher speed. 

“Charlie told us that he agreed that Magnussen probably moved a little bit too late,” Sergio Perez told Motorsport.com. 

“I think he moved just a little bit too late, given the speed differences, but it’s always a bit difficult with these mirrors as well to see the difference in speed.”

Perez’s teammate Esteban Ocon said it was already “clear” to drivers what they should do, “but it’s just that Kevin didn’t get penalised”.

He added: “They said that Kevin did move too late, definitely, and it was not very safe. So probably things are going to change. 

“I’ve seen it, and I was the same in Sochi [when Magnussen and Ocon were racing each other], and we touched as well. 

“Everybody agreed. Kevin agreed he was too late, he said it to Charlie.”

Toro Rosso driver Brendon Hartley said the discussion in the briefing was one that had happened before.

“I think it’s sometimes tricky for stewards to judge one move, two moves and also when the move is too late,” he said. “I think this one was a question of timing.

“If you move so late that the other person has to back off in a straight line, I think that’s not really in the spirit of racing.”

Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team VF-18, Charles Leclerc, Sauber C37 and Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB14

Photo by: Jerry Andre / Sutton Images