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A broken seal on a radiator that channelled hot air into his cockpit caused McLaren Formula 1 driver Kevin Magnussen's problems at the Singapore Grand Prix, AUTOSPORT has learned.

Magnussen had to overcome a dramatically overheating cockpit - and boiling water in his drinks bottle - to claim a hard-earned 10th place finish at the Marina Bay circuit.

Although eager to play down his difficulties following the race, the heat dramas meant he had to receive medical treatment for minor burns after getting out of the cockpit.

McLaren had no immediate answer for what caused Magnussen's troubles in Singapore, with its telemetry giving no indication of what had gone wrong.

However, post-race investigations have uncovered that it was caused by a broken seal in a radiator.

The hot air that was escaping from the radiator was being ducted straight into the cockpit.

McLaren has already worked out why the seal broke and has put in place a solution that will ensure there is no repeat in the future.

McLaren racing director Eric Boullier said during a McLaren media teleconference on Thursday: "Regarding Kevin it is already fixed, so will never happen again."

The team is still awaiting an answer from engine supplier Mercedes about what caused Jenson Button's engine to stop working in the Singapore race.

Boullier added: "We don't have yet the full answer on what happened to Jenson, but there was an electrical issue from the power box."