The FIA ​​returns to its analysis of the Magnussen-Leclerc incident

Two weeks later the incident between Kevin Magnussen (Haas) and Charles Leclerc (Sauber) at the Japanese Grand Prix, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) despite itself brought this collision back to the forefront.

« Magnussen is and always will be stupid » @Charles_Leclerc did not thin his words after clashing with K-Mag#JapaneseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/YOomZEQXnm

— Formula 1 (@F1) 7th October, 2018

Late Friday afternoon, the drivers' briefing was held behind closed doors in the press conference room in Austin (Texas) ahead of the United States Grand Prix. A few minutes earlier, the Formula 1 team principals conference was held at the same location. Except that in the meantime, the microphones placed on the table were not cut!

Fab. Drivers' briefing microphones left on and being broadcast in media center. Oops. Charlie telling the drivers that in hindsight, stewards were perhaps too lenient with Magnussen in Japan and that his defensive move in the battle with Leclerc was, indeed, too late.

- Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) 19th October, 2018

As a result, all the journalists and photographers present in the press room were able to hear the start of the meeting between the pilots and Charlie Whiting. The English race director began his speech by making amends regarding the Magnussen-Leclerc incident.

Charlie Whiting has changed his mind; now, Kevin Magnussen changed direction " too late " and that the FIA ​​had shown itself “too lenient” with the Dane! This contrasts with his words given in Suzuka (Japan). “In my opinion, it is impossible to say that Kevin blocked (Charles) intentionally. It's simply that he acted by going to the right just after Charles decided to do so. »

This must have delighted Charles Leclerc, who believed that “Magnussen is and always will be stupid, that’s a fact” immediately after hanging. After his blunder, Charlie Whiting would have maliciously launched a " Hello everyone " before cutting his microphone...