Turkish Grand Prix: Magnussen and Haas Escape Penalty
Under investigation by the stewards for having released their Danish driver Kevin Magnussen with the rear left wheel not secured, the Haas team escapes the penalty. However, this does not make up for another complicated Grand Prix.
In a Grand Prix where opportunities were key, the American team Haas once again experienced a nightmare Sunday.
Starting 15th and 18th, both drivers, whether Romain Grosjean or Kevin Magnussen, were in agony from start to finish despite a new superb start from the Dane.
If Grosjean retires on the 49th lap after multiple spins and a car that can’t keep its tires up to temperature, Magnussen is still in the race on the 55th lap when he comes into the pits for his final stop.
Alas, Günther Steiner’s men make another mistake and let Magnussen leave with the left rear wheel improperly secured.
The driver with number 20 immediately stopped at the end of the pit lane, and the marshals intervened to clear the single-seater.
Placed under investigation by the stewards, including driver steward Derek Warwick, the action did not result in a penalty: « The stewards reviewed video and audio evidence of car 20’s pit stop and heard the team’s representative’s arguments. » declared the FIA stewards in their report. « The team representative stated that the left rear mechanic was unsure if the tire was properly secured and they decided to stop the car as soon as possible. The stewards determined that with the available evidence, it was not possible to ascertain if the car was released in a dangerous condition. ».
With this double retirement, no change for Haas in the standings, as they remain second-to-last in the constructors’ championship with only 3 points.
