Kevin Magnussen Issued 1-Race Ban Ahead of Baku

Kevin Magnussen has been issued a one-race ban after stockpiling too many points on his FIA Super License in the past 12 months, the race stewards confirmed after Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix.

During the Formula 1 race, Magnussen collided with Pierre Gasly in turn 4 while trying to pass the Frenchman. The stewards found Magnussen at fault in the incident and gave the Haas driver a 10-second time penalty and two penalty points.

As the official document notes, these penalty points are his 11th and 12th of the last 12 months. Accumulating 12 penalty points in a year results in an automatic one-race ban per the FIA bylaws.

“In accordance with Article 4.2 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, as the
Driver of Car 20 has accrued 12 penalty points (see Document 57), the Super
Licence of the driver of Car 20 must be suspended for the next Competition,” the decision reads.

Magnussen was able to finish 10th in the race and score a championship point after the time penalty was applied.

This is the first time an F1 driver is banned from a race due to the 12-penalty-point rule, which was introduced in 2014, though the team has the right to appeal within 96 hours of the penalty being issued.

“Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.”

The next F1 race will be the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Sept. 15. Haas reserve drivers include current Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Pietro Fittipaldi, who is scheduled to race the IndyCar season finale later that day in Nashville, and F2 driver Oliver Bearman, who will be driving for the team next season.

Magnussen is currently 16th in driver standings, with six points. Haas is currently seventh in the constructors’ standings with 28 total points.