In the world of Formula 1, penalty points have become a much-discussed topic. During the Miami Grand Prix, Kevin Magnussen found himself dangerously close to a race suspension due to his driving tactics. He received penalty points for defensive driving and for going off track and gaining an advantage. Additionally, he caused a collision with Logan Sargeant, earning him even more penalty points. Starting the year with zero points, Magnussen now has a total of 10, just two points away from the 12 required for a race suspension. These penalty points will remain on his record until March of next year. As the Formula 1 circus arrived at the iconic Imola circuit, journalists from around the world were eager to hear the drivers’ opinions on penalties and officiating in the sport.
One driver, Yuki Tsunoda, who has experienced Magnussen’s aggressive driving first-hand, believes that the 12-point limit should be extended to accommodate the increase in the number of races on the calendar. He argues that if there are more races, there should be more flexibility in the points system. Tsunoda also emphasizes the importance of penalizing drivers who consistently engage in unsportsmanlike behavior. He suggests that more discussions should take place to address these issues.
Magnussen himself agrees that the maximum limit of penalty points should be reviewed. He also questions the severity of penalties for what he considers minor infractions. Despite appeals from McLaren team director Andrea Stella for Magnussen to face more severe consequences, the Danish driver believes that there should be a reassessment of how penalty points are applied in the sport.
“Well, I believe it’s unfair that I am facing the possibility of being banned from races for crossing a few white lines on a section of pavement. Although I don’t agree with this rule, I understand that it is currently in effect. However, I think there is room for improvement, not only in terms of the penalties imposed. With the increase in the number of races compared to when these rules were introduced, it is now possible to receive a race suspension for a very minor infraction. That’s my perspective on the matter.”
Not long ago, drivers were instructed to give up a position if they had gained an unfair advantage. However, since race stewards have absolved themselves of this responsibility, the enforcement of these situations has become chaotic at best. The Haas team took advantage of this on two occasions, accepting time penalties and penalty points at the expense of Magnussen and other drivers to gain an advantage.
According to Magnussen, if drivers were simply instructed to give back the positions, he wouldn’t be facing a race suspension.
“The ideal solution would be for the FIA to instruct us to give back the positions and impose severe consequences for not complying. This would ensure that drivers follow this rule,” he expressed during the Imola Press Conference on Thursday.
“I believe the current system is overly complicated and the consequences are too severe. There should be some room for drivers to push the limits and then recover from it. If the stewards determine that a driver gained an unfair advantage and issue a penalty of a drive-through, I don’t think that is fair. I raced in IndyCar and admire the way they handle races there. The rules are clear and simple, and the races are fantastic. Races among the top 20 drivers in the world should be exceptional. I believe showcasing our skills as fast and talented drivers is an important aspect of Formula 1. It should be an integral part of the sport.”
Magnussen is not the only driver who has disagreed with the Formula 1 race stewards recently. Fernando Alonso also made several complaints about the officials throughout the 2024 season. After facing difficulties with the stewards in Melbourne and Shanghai, Alonso reached his breaking point in Miami, when he felt that Lewis Hamilton was not unfairly penalized for an incident during the Sprint on lap 1.
In a surprising revelation, the Aston Martin driver boldly claimed that Hamilton escaped punishment due to his non-Spanish nationality. He sought out the FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, to discuss the issue and protect the future of Spanish drivers.
After his conversation with Ben Sulayem, Alonso expressed his views on the inconsistent officiating in Formula 1 at Imola. He acknowledged that differing opinions are inevitable when accidents occur or investigations are conducted. However, he highlighted the peculiar situation where both parties involved and the referee have conflicting perspectives, something that needs to be addressed.
Para Alonso, effective communication is crucial. He emphasized the need to discuss various aspects among drivers, FIA, stewards, and future regulations to establish better standards of driving.
Sainz, like Alonso, is puzzled by the actions of race stewards. He admitted to having difficulty understanding certain decisions, especially in two separate incidents during the Miami race. Sainz pointed out how Perez’s aggressive move at the start of the race went unpunished due to quick reactions from other drivers, while his minor collision with Piastri resulted in a penalty.
Sainz believes that the outcome of penalties is still being considered, contradicting the idea that it should be ignored. He firmly believes that if Piastri didn’t need to go to the pits due to front wing damage, he wouldn’t have received a penalty, and the focus would have been on the exciting overtaking and on-track action.
Sainz’s observations shed light on the inconsistency and confusion surrounding penalties and penalty points.
The solution to this frustrating situation seems clear. First, the regulations should stipulate that drivers must give back positions, as suggested by Magnussen. This simple and clear instruction can be easily implemented and understood by all.
Secondly, Formula 1 needs to go beyond relying on four volunteer race stewards who change from one meeting to another. The importance and authority of race stewards require these positions to become official and permanent, just like the race director. Only then can Formula 1 achieve consistency in penalty decisions.
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The football star Cristiano Ronaldo is in advanced negotiations to return to the club where he began his career, Sporting CP. According to sources close to the player, the talks are at an advanced stage and an agreement could be reached soon.
Ronaldo, who currently plays for Juventus, has expressed his desire to return to Sporting CP several times in the past. He started his professional career at the Portuguese club before moving to Manchester United in 2003.
At 39 years old, Ronaldo is still considered one of the best players in the world. His possible return to Sporting CP would be great news for the club’s fans, who idolize him since his previous spell.
Furthermore, Ronaldo’s signing would be a huge boost for Sporting CP in terms of marketing and international visibility. The player has a massive fan base around the world and his presence would certainly attract more attention to the club.
However, there are still details to be ironed out before the agreement is finalized. Salary issues and the duration of the contract are some of the points being discussed among the parties involved.
Nevertheless, it is expected that the agreement will be concluded in the coming days. If confirmed, Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Sporting CP will certainly be one of the biggest highlights of this year’s transfer market. The club’s fans are eager to see their idol back to his roots and hope that he can bring even more success to Sporting CP.
