Kevin Magnussen has hit out at some fellow Formula 1 drivers for improving their lap times despite driving through double-waved yellow flags at the end of Q1 at the Turkish Grand Prix.
The flags were deployed after Williams’ Nicholas Latifi spun while on a hot lap before coming to a stop in the gravel at the side of the circuit at Turn 8.
However, a number of drivers improved their time to secure a spot in Q2 while Magnussen backed off, which ultimately settled his elimination from the session.
“There was a yellow flag all of the lap, and everyone improved,” Magnussen pointed out. “I backed off for those yellow flag but everyone seemed to be improving.
“I was P7 and I got knocked out so clearly nobody gave an F.”
Magnussen suggested that the FIA should investigate the situation immediately, rather than after the session, in order to determine whether he would have been able to participate in Q2.
“They have to do it [the investigation] in the session and delete those lap times,” Magnussen affirmed.
“I was apparently the only one who backed out and respected those rules that we have, that you need to abort the lap if there is a double-waved yellow flag, which there was.
“I should be running now. I was P7 and didn’t push because there was a yellow flag. I’m pissed off.
“Clearly my lap will stand because I backed off, nobody else did. The track was better so you were going to improve.
“The rules say you have to abort the lap – nobody did. They don’t look at it in session so now I’m knocked out, because people don’t respect the rules. I’m pretty annoyed with that.”
When asked if he will speak to F1 Race Director Michael Masi over the issue, Magnussen replied: “Of course.
“If this is the norm then I can’t justify backing off. I’d rather get through and then get a penalty after. It’s dangerous.”
Yellow flag just seems to not be the yellow it was. Almost everybody improved during yellow, how is this possible?