Sauber can't understand Magnussen Australian GP no penalty decision

Magnussen attempted to pass Ericsson up the inside of the Turn 3 right-hander on the opening lap, with his front-left wheel hitting the rear of the Sauber's sidepod after the Haas driver clipped the kerb and ran deeper into the corner than anticipated.

Ericsson spun into the gravel, and although he got going again he had suffered damage and eventually retired with a hydraulic failure related to the impact, while Magnussen later retired with a suspected suspension problem.

The FIA changed its regulations this year to penalise drivers only when they were "wholly or predominantly to blame", and Kaltenborn believes this was clearly Magnussen's fault.

"I don't understand why the FIA didn't react there," Kaltenborn told Autosport.

"They have clarified the rules that if it really is a driver's fault they take action, and I don't know what else needs to take place because the situation was very clear."

Kaltenborn suggested that the basis of the decision might lead to it being discussed at the next race in China, but insisted the fact the collision was on the opening lap did not excuse it.

"I think, yeah, it might be at the next manager's meeting or whatever they have," said Kaltenborn when asked about whether this might lead to a clarification.

"It shouldn't [make a difference that this was on the first lap], so I don't even want to consider that.

"There is no such differentiation that takes place, so it shouldn't make any difference."

Magnussen blamed the understeer that resulted from the rear-end moment for the collision.

But despite neither he nor team-mate Romain Grosjean finishing, the latter thanks to a water leak, Magnussen was upbeat about the performance of Haas.

"I had Ericsson on the outside and I understeered into the side of him, which is unfortunate," said Magnussen.

"I lost my front wing and damaged the car a little bit.

"We changed the front wing and then I went for a long test session to feel the car and learn a bit more about it.

"It feels good and the car is fast. That's the really positive thing from this weekend."