McLaren racing director Eric Boullier has admitted to locking rookie Kevin Magnussen in a room over grand prix weekends and giving him a pep talk.

Magnussen conjured a stunning debut in Australia just over two weeks ago when he finished third, later promoted to second following Daniel Ricciardo's disqualification which is under appeal.

In Sunday's race in Malaysia, however, Magnussen made what Boullier described as "a rookie mistake" when he ran into the back of Kimi Raikkonen in his Ferrari.

Magnussen not only required a new front wing, but also received a new punishment for this season of a five-second stop-go penalty, recovering to claim ninth.

As for Raikkonen, his car sustained a right-rear puncture which resulted in a slow return to the pits and subsequent floor damage, with the Finn finishing a lap down in 12th.

Boullier feels 21-year-old Magnussen naturally still has a lot to learn, and has taken the Dane under his wing.

As former Lotus team principal, Boullier did the same for Romain Grosjean when his fellow Frenchman was involved in a wretched run of incidents that almost resulted in his exit from the sport.

"What happened in Malaysia on Sunday is something for Kevin to learn from," said Boullier.

"It was a rookie mistake, some sort of excitement, and maybe the old guy (Raikkonen) was playing as well and the youngster was trapped.

"Kevin was penalised, but even after that he remained quiet, focused, he didn't over-react, he did nothing wrong.

"Despite a front-wing change and a five-second penalty, we explained our strategy to him to make sure he finished in the points and he just did it, so it wasn't bad.

"But we still need to develop him carefully. Twice a weekend, certainly at least once, we have a long chat.

"I'm monitoring very carefully his state of mind, the way he behaves.

"I'm watching him a lot, like I did with Romain. I'm trying to lock him in a room at least once a weekend to make sure he is okay.

"We sat down twice in Malaysia for 10 minutes, which is enough, and he is very open minded, so everything I tell him - like advice let's say - he is listening."

It was an error for which Magnussen issued a heart-felt apology as he said: "I'm sorry for the team, I messed it up in the first corner.

"We could have got some good points, so I'm really disappointed with myself that I did that mistake.

"Grand prix are long races, so I shouldn't have made a mistake like that so early on in the afternoon.

"No excuses. I'm not happy. When you make mistakes it is not nice, but that stuff happens. You just have to learn from it, and I will."

Magnussen currently sits fifth in the driver standings.