Magnussen and Steiner: 'FIA greatly exaggerating'

Kevin Magnussen believes the FIA "exaggerated enormously" by forcing him to make a pit stop during the Singapore Grand Prix. The Haas driver was sent inside by race control for the third time this season. Team boss Guenther Steiner has also been critical of the decision.

Early in the race, Magnussen had to make an unscheduled pit stop. On the opening lap, he made slight contact with Max Verstappen, after which the side flap of his front wing came loose. A few laps later - and after Verstappen complained about the Haas' loose material - the FIA waved the black-and-orange flag to tell Magnussen he had to make a pit stop due to loose parts. For Magnussen, this was the third time he had seen the so-called 'meatball flag'.

But the Danish driver was not taken in by it. He told Motorsport.com afterwards that the reaction was "way over the top". "I didn't feel anything on the car. The team told me the damage was minimal. And that part doesn't just fall off. The FIA should know that, they make the rules."

Steiner also not happy with this approach

Earlier in the weekend, Haas team boss Steiner had also been critical of this issue. He explained that the team would never leave a car on the track if they think it is unsafe. "We are not that stupid. Then we don't need to hear that from the FIA as well. Personally, I think we have much better qualified people than the FIA."

Haas closed the race weekend without any points. Magnussen eventually finished 12th, with one place behind his teammate Mick Schumacher.