Magnussen hit with post-race penalty

Kevin Magnussen has been hit with a five-second time penalty in the wake of the United States GP for gaining an advantage off the track.

The Dane was involved in a late battle with Daniil Kvyat as he used his fresher tyres to carve his way through the field.

Passing Kvyat for 11th place, Magnussen ran off the track at Turn 12 and rejoined ahead of the Toro Rosso.

Magnussen was later investigated by the stewards who declared that he had gained an advantage and slapped him with a five-second time penalty.

“Car 20 left the track in turn 12, gaining a lasting advantage,” the stewards decision read.

Magnussen drops to P12.

He told Autosport: “The penalty is frustrating, but that’s racing sometimes.

“It was a pretty decent race considering our qualifying position [18th].

“I was able to have some fun at the end of the race on the super-soft tyres – it was the most fun I’ve had in the car all season, being able to push hard to the chequered flag.”

Magnussen also received two penalty points for the incident, which leaves him with four for the current 12-month period.