Magnussen says race two penalty at Spielberg was unfair

Magnussen was penalised two seconds post-race for passing Melker outside of the track limits on the opening lap.

The stewards took no action during the race, but they investigated the matter when Melker's Tech 1 team protested the pass afterwards.

Magnussen had gone off track at the first corner, and he rejoined ahead of front row starter Melker as the Dutchman recovered from getting tapped by Stoffel Vandoorne.

The Dane, who now leads the championship by 27 points instead of 30, believes that the penalty was harsh and the situation could have been handled better.

"It was very frustrating," Magnussen told AUTOSPORT. "I went really wide at the first corner so I lost time compared to taking the corner normally.

"In terms of time I didn't gain anything, but I gained a position to Melker because he was pushed by Vandoorne so he had to catch the car and didn't do the corner normally.

"I knew I had gained a position, but I didn't want to give it back until I was asked to.

"But I was never asked to, so I finished in P2 and I was given a penalty when Tech 1 protested after the race.

"For me that was a little bit unfair. They could have told me to give the place back and I would have done it, and then I would have a chance to get him back."

Magnussen believes that the three points lost could prove crucial in the championship fight, where he currently leads fellow McLaren junior Vandoorne.

"Twenty-seven points is not a big lead if you think about it," he added. "Losing those three points is definitely a big deal.

"You want to do everything you can to get any points you can. The penalty was a little bit unfair, but there you go.

"When you are leading a championship everyone wants to beat you, it's normal. I expect that, and that's the game."