F1 News
Szafnauer: Magnussen blocked Perez points in Monaco
Jake Williams-Smith
Racing Point chief executive officer Otmar Szafnauer believes that Kevin Magnussen cost Sergio Perez the chance to score points at the Monaco Grand Prix.
The two were fighting on track when Perez pulled out an ambitious overtake into the Nouvelle Chicane, forcing Magnussen to cut the track in order to retain his position.
The Haas driver was handed a five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage and subsequently dropped to 14th in the results, however, Szafnauer insists that the Dane's actions prevented the Racing Point man from reaching the points.
"I think our race pace was very reasonable, but overtaking on this track is very difficult. And if even someone like Magnussen cuts short, if you try, that will hurt you, of course, because you have no further chance," he told Speedweek.
"Sergio was also stopped by the chaos in the Rascasse, but he lost a good six or seven seconds. And in the end, only a few seconds separated him from the points. Only Magnussen and Norris were between him and the top 10. Had he had the opportunity to pass Magnussen early, he would have had a shot at points. And he actually had it too."
Perez went on to finish the Monaco Grand Prix in 12th position.
