Kevin Magnussen, a driver stuffed with sheer grit and dedication has confirmed to be a ferocious pressure on observe. To this point this season Kevin has proven to resort to the group sport by supporting not solely his group Haas but in addition his teammate; Nico Hülkenberg. To attain factors for the Amercian-based group. However taking part in the group sport has additionally upset drivers round him as a result of techniques the Danish driver resorts to. However is Magnussen’s driving fashion a lift that makes observe motion thrilling? Or too excessive for the protection of the drivers on observe.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
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The second race of the Method 1 season close to the Purple Sea was the primary signal that Magnussen resorted to serving to the group to attain factors. Combating with Yuki Tsunoda, Alexander Albon, Esteban Ocon, and even Logan Sargeant, the Haas driver resorted to slicing the nook out of Flip 4. Aiding in his defence to permit Hülkenberg the prospect to attain factors. Nevertheless, the Danish driver was awarded a 10-second time penalty for the infringement as he didn’t give the place again to Tsunoda. Regardless that, Kevin was already awarded a 10-second penalty initially of the race. For forcing Albon near the wall earlier than Flip 4.
The results of these two incidents meant Kevin Magnussen was given 20 seconds of time penalties in whole. And was relegated to ending fifteenth from crossing the road, eleventh. However this was not the tip of Kevin’s woes, as he was additionally awarded three penalty factors to his tremendous licence. The utmost quantity a driver can accumulate on their tremendous licence is 12. And if a driver accumulates stated 12 factors, then the motive force in query will face a one-race ban. That means they won’t compete within the subsequent race weekend.
Chinese language Grand Prix
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Within the battle for thirteenth place, Magnussen took the gamble to overhaul Tsunoda at Flip 6 to battle with Lewis Hamilton and Esteban Ocon simply outdoors of the factors. Sadly, the Danish driver collided with Tsunoda sending the Japanese driver right into a spin and leading to Yuki retiring from the race. Kevin’s actions decided by the stewards that he “braked late and collided with” Tsunoda and was given a 10-second time penalty.
Within the post-race interview, Magnussen with few phrases summed up the race as taking a consequence from the qualifying on Saturday afternoon. Clearly displaying that he was not pleased with the efficiency of the Haas. Regardless that on the alternative aspect of the group storage, Hülkenberg managed to attain some extent for the American-based group. Hülkeneberg labelled it as a possibility as “one of many high 5 automobiles had an issue.”
In consequence, Kevin Magnussen was given one other two penalty factors on his tremendous licence. Now totalling 5.
Miami Grand Prix – Saturday Dash
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Magnussen’s weekend across the Miami Worldwide Autodrome could be his worst race of the season to date when it comes to driver self-discipline. Starting with the 19-lap dash on Saturday morning. He was handed three penalty factors in Saturday’s race for repeatedly leaving the observe and gaining a bonus by holding the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton. To maintain his teammate Haas Nico Hülkenberg forward as he tried to defend towards Hamilton. to thwart the Mercedes from with the ability to chase down his teammate who was working seventh.
In a post-race interview with Sky Sports activities F1, Magnussen made his ideas clear:
“I began utilizing these silly techniques which I don’t like doing, however on the finish of the day I did my job as a group participant and Nico scored his factors as a result of I received that hole for him so Lewis and Tsunoda couldn’t catch him.” So the Haas driver’s whole penalty has now elevated to seven. 5 away from a race ban. However that wasn’t the tip of the weekend for Kevin Magnussen.
Miami Grand Prix
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Through the race on Sunday, Magnussen was discovered to be “wholly accountable” for the incident at Flip 3 which resulted within the Haas colliding with Logan Sargeant and inflicting the Security Automotive to be deployed on lap 29. The stewards imposed a 10-second time penalty on Magnussen along with two further tremendous licence factors being added to his licence. This makes the Danish driver come away from Miami with solely two extra penalty factors away from a race ban.
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However to make issues worse for the Haas group, one other rule violation dedicated by the group contributed 20 seconds to his last race time. As he ended up ending nineteenth within the Grand Prix. Why? As a result of the group failed to alter the tyres when pitting him below the Security Automotive as a result of front-wing harm to his automobile attributable to the Sargeant conflict. Thus the group was discovered to have dedicated one other violation of the principles.
Conclusion
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So the query stays is Magnussen’s behaviour justified or a step too far? There are two sides to the coin on this story. Magnussen to date this season has helped in his capability to make sure that the group obtain factors. And in doing so, has aided his teammate Nico Hülkenberg to attain the factors whereas Magnussen performs the assist function between the 2 drivers. As a Method 1 driver, you don’t need to be the motive force who doesn’t rating factors. However your teammate does. However within the case of Kevin Magnussen, the Danish driver is aware of it’s for the betterment of the group. And understands sacrifices are made along with his choice.
However his driving fashion must be put into query.
On each race highlighted on this article, Magnussen has both collided or aggravated the motive force he has come wheel-to-wheel with. Which doesn’t set a very good instance of racing. And Kevin has admitted to fault for his actions. However for the Danish driver to retain his seat subsequent season, he’ll want to enhance his behaviour on observe. To change into extra conscious of the right way to assault and defend extra successfully with the necessity to trigger one other incident. As a result of the subsequent incident he could induce could end in a race ban.
If you need to study extra information concerning the world of Method 1? “Lando Norris ‘Lastly’ WINS a Grand Prix!” or “The Miami Worldwide Autodrome: Method 1’s American Horizon.”
Picture Credit score: Purple Bull Content material Pool
