- Belgian GP - Race
Magnussen handed 20-second Spa penalty
Kevin Magnussen has been handed a 20-second post-race penalty for forcing Fernando Alonso off the road during the late scrap for fifth place at the Belgian Grand Prix.
On the penultimate lap Magnussen headed a train of three world champions, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel, when the Ferrari driver started down the Kemmel Straight. Magnussen moved over to the right and edged Alonso onto the grass, before the Spaniard was forced wide again several corners later at Rivage, prompting an immediate investigation which found the Dane responsible for the former incident.
The official stewards report said: "The driver of car 20 [Magnussen] was defending his position on the [Kemmel] straight between turns 4 and 5. A significant portion of car 14 [Alonso] was alongside car 20. The driver of car 20 did not leave enough space for car 14 and forced the car off the track."
The result drops Magnussen down to 12th, but the Dane says he enjoyed the contest even if it was bittersweet.
"It was a tough challenge, because everyone around me had slightly fresher tyres than I did, and they're all great drivers: they're not the easiest guys to keep behind," Magnussen said. "So I just tried my best to defend my position as well as I could. I enjoyed the fight, I thought it was a tough but fair fight.
"Despite being penalised after the race, I have to say I enjoyed the weekend. I had great fun out there this afternoon - I was involved in exciting racing on an awesome circuit."
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