Magnussen reprimanded over FP1 Leclerc incident

Kevin Magnussen has received a reprimand by the stewards in Barcelona after an incident with Charles Leclerc in FP1. Magnussen was summoned to the stewards following the opening free practice session of the weekend after came under fire from Sauber's Leclerc.

Leclerc became upset when Magnussen appeared to try and block him from passing on the start-finish straight. The Monegasque driver came over the radio and hit out at Magnussen, saying: "Magnussen needs to understand that he is not alone on track. I mean honestly he is on a slow lap and he stays on line. Every time it is him, every time.”

Stewards investigated the incident and decided that it was necessary to hand the driver a reprimand. If a driver receives three reprimands over the course of the season, he will receive a ten-place grid penalty for the current or next available race - but only if two of the reprimands are for driving infringements.

"The stewards accepted this explanation and found that there was not a case of unnecessarily impeding. However, the Stewards reviewed the manoeuvre of car 20 [Magnussen] at the entry to turn one, where the driver of car 20 moved to the right in front of car 16 [Lelcerc] which was overtaking at the time. While the cars avoided a collision, the stewards deemed the manoeuvre to be potentially dangerous and unnecessary, and therefore a breach of Article 27.4 [of the sporting regulations].”