Haas driver Kevin Magnussen has been handed a grid demotion for Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix after impeding Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc during qualifying.
Magnussen went off at Turn 9 during Q2 and re-joined on the dry line, in front of Leclerc, who remained behind the Haas driver through Turn 16.
Magnussen explained that he ‘did not feel it was safe to move off onto the wet at speed and give room to Leclerc, particularly between Turns 11 and 15’, while Haas did not warn the Dane of Leclerc’s presence until Leclerc was directly behind at Turn 10.
Haas also instructed Magnussen to push as he needed to reach the start/finish straight to begin another push lap.
![Aston Martin managed its first race finish of 2026 with Fernando Alonso [behind] completing the distance](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Aston-Martin-Honda-Japanese-GP-120x86.webp)
Stewards deemed that Magnussen unnecessarily impeded Leclerc and consequently he will drop from 13th to 16th on the grid for Sunday’s race.
Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Williams’ Alexander Albon will each move up one position.
![Aston Martin managed its first race finish of 2026 with Fernando Alonso [behind] completing the distance](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Aston-Martin-Honda-Japanese-GP-350x250.webp)
![Aston Martin managed its first race finish of 2026 with Fernando Alonso [behind] completing the distance](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Aston-Martin-Honda-Japanese-GP-360x180.webp)
Discussion about this post