Kevin Magnussen has been penalised twice in the last two races for what the race stewards consider dangerous driving, but McLaren have urged the rookie to continue his attacking style.
The Danish driver was handed a 20-second penalty in Belgium when he forced Fernando Alonso wide and then a fortnight later, he was given a five-second penalty for doing the same to Valtteri Bottas.
Whilst some have praised his attacking style, the FIA believe he is too eager to defend position, but McLaren racing director Eric Boullier reckons the Monza penalty simply wasn’t justified.
“I think the Spa penalty was deserved to be honest, but I believe, obviously, not the one in Monza,” he said. “He was unfortunate to be penalised, but we believe it was just a normal move and a legitimate defence.
“I don’t think he will have to change his approach. I think Spa was a one off and Monza, for us, was unfortunate, let’s say. I think he needs to keep building up his confidence by doing what he is doing.”
Had it not been for the penalties, he would have finished ahead of team-mate Jenson Button and Boullier says that proves Magnussen is punching above his weight.
“It is clear that he is stepping up,” said the Frenchman. “He is maybe punching above his weight because he doesn’t have the car to be fast enough to chase the better results. But he is trying his best, and it is good for him, good for the fans and good for the show to see this young kid, this young rookie, fighting with the big boys.
“His self-confidence is massively growing and it is good for his race craft, which is only going to get better and better.”
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