Renault and Haas drivers clash verbally after the Hungarian GP - and no, we can't actually tell you what Magnussen told Hulkenberg!
Tuesday 1 August 2017 21:52, UK
Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen have become embroiled in an extraordinary war of words after the Hungarian GP.
As he was being interviewed live on Danish television, Haas driver Magnussen responded to criticism from his Renault rival with an expletive-laden outburst.
Hulkenberg subsequently described Magnussen as a "dirty driver" before Haas boss Guenther Steiner hit back by calling Hulkenberg a "bully" and "childish".
"I congratulated him for being the most unsporting driver of the whole grid again," said Hulkenberg. "When it comes to racing, he's just nasty."
The confrontation was triggered by a controversial on-track clash in which Hulkenberg was forced wide as he tried to overtake Magnussen at Turn Two of the Hungaroring.
Earlier, Hulkenberg had also clashed with Magnussen's Haas team-mate Grosjean with the Frenchman on the receiving end of a tough move from the Renault. Upon being told that the stewards had deemed the move unworthy of sanction, Magnussen warned over team radio that it would be "a dirty race".
Steiner, already unhappy with Hulkenberg for clashing with Grosjean, resolutely defended Magnussen despite the stewards finding the Dane at fault.
"Nico was the guy who destroyed Romain's race and then we get a penalty with Kevin," said the Haas team boss. "Kevin did the right thing and stood his point there in my opinion - why would he lift? It's a tough battle."
In finding Magnussen guilty of an illegal block, the Hungaroring race stewards added two penalty points to Magnussen's licence, taking to him within five of a race ban, and demoted the Dane from 11th to 13th.
An angry Steiner claimed Hulkenberg had attempt to get the penalty increased.
"Nico went to the stewards to ask for a harsher penalty for Kevin, which I think is childish and immature," he said. "I'm almost speechless. I respect Nico as a driver and a human being, but what he did there..you don't ask for a more severe penalty for somebody."
The Haas boss added: "He is a bully. He got away with it a long time and maybe it's now time that somebody stands up to him. He's a good driver, he doesn't need to be like this."
Stewards' verdict on Magnussen-Hulkenberg in full
'Hulkenberg was overtaking Magnussen around the outside of Turn 2 on Lap 62. Hulkenberg was fully alongside Magnussen in the manoeuvre, and in fact a little ahead, and thus had the right to the racing line at the exit. Instead, Magnussen continued to use the full width of the track and forced Hulkenberg off the track at the exit of Turn 2.'
Don't miss the F1 Report on Wednesday at 8.30pm on Sky F1 as Formula 2 driver Jordan King and Marc Priestley join Natalie Pinkham to review the Hungarian GP.
