Why Albon called Magnussen’s driving “really dangerous, like Monaco” · RaceFans

Alexander Albon accused Kevin Magnussen of driving dangerously to deliberately box him in during the Dutch Grand Prix.

The outcome was a dramatic moment where Magnussen was passed by four cars on the start/finish straight at once: Albon plus Pierre Gasly and the Aston Martin pair.

At that point Albon had spent over a lap being held up by Magnussen, who significantly lifted the throttle at points on the circuit where he was unlikely to be passed. “They’re boxing me in on purpose,” Albon observed. “I don’t know why.”

Magnussen race had already been compromised twice by this point. He was forced to start from the pit lane due to a power unit parts change, then slid off at Tarzan on lap three and fell to last place.

While Haas kept Magnussen out on his original set of tyres, Nico Hulkenberg in the team’s other car made his sole pit stop early, on lap 14. By lap 31 Hulkenberg had caught his team mate, whose race engineer Mark Slade told him: “Nico 0.7 behind, please swap positions into turn one.” Magnussen complied.

As the next group of cars started to catch him, Haas gave Magnussen a message which appeared to imply they expected him to delay their rivals to help his team mate. “Albon and the cars behind are fighting Nico for position,” said Slade. “Albon is two seconds behind you.”

By lap 38 Albon was upon him, and on the following tour he lost over three-and-a-half second behind the Haas driver, fuming as he did. When Magnussen coasted at the exit of turn 13, Albon complained: “Again, it’s just dangerous. Like really dangerous. Same as Monaco.”

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(Albon appeared to continue his complaint, beginning another message: “And they don’t…” before it was abruptly cut off, seemingly censored by FOM.)

Albon’s reference to Monaco recalls a similar complaint he made while being held up by Yuki Tsunoda throughout much of that race. “He’s really dangerous,” said Albon on that occasion. “Going to take out my front wing with him.”

However Magnussen slowed so much at turn 13 it allowed not only Albon but the three other cars chasing the Williams through. After that there was no point Haas keeping him out any longer, so Magnussen was swiftly brought in. Much to Albon’s chagrin, his delay behind the Haas also cost him a position to Pierre Gasly.

Albon, Magnussen and Hulkenberg’s radio messages