Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner says he is “tired” of Formula 1 drivers lining up to criticise Kevin Magnussen, following the Dane’s clash with Charles Leclerc in Japan.
Magnussen sustained a left-rear puncture, that ultimately led to his retirement, after being clipped by Leclerc as they battled along the main straight.
Stewards investigated the incident but deemed that Leclerc had moved to the right just as Magnussen took the same decision to defend the line.
Leclerc called Magnussen’s move “stupid” with Sauber boss Frederic Vasseur suggested it had been “dangerous”, but Steiner expressed frustration at Magnussen being blamed.
“Nobody explained why he [Leclerc] is upset,” said Steiner. “What is he upset for? Kevin didn’t brake. He didn’t push him off. Kevin moved over to his line and he ran into him, what can he do? Just let him by?
“He [Leclerc] needs to judge what he can do and cannot do and don’t be upset with anybody.
“He [Magnussen] didn’t run into the side of him, he was clearly in front because he did move in front of him but he didn’t break [the line] anymore so took a risk. He [Leclerc] knew it.
“[The criticism] is more of the same again and I am getting quite tired of this, it is more of the same, if they have a problem with him they just blame him for it. Anyway, it is quite normal.”
Magnussen previously felt the ire of Pierre Gasly following a coming together in Azerbaijan, while last year riled both Nico Hulkenberg and Fernando Alonso after on-track spats.
