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McLaren F1 team leaders Zak Brown and Stella attributed opposing racers for the collision between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the beginning of the US GP sprint event.

Piastri, ahead of his teammate in the championship by twenty-two points, crashed into his team-mate after hitting Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg.

The crash took both McLaren drivers out of the event, along with Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, who was on the inner side of the Sauber driver.

Team Executives Express Disappointment Over Crash

Brown, the team's CEO, commented to broadcasters that some of the racing at the front was "inexperienced", stating: "Obviously Hulkenberg drove into Oscar and he had no reason being where he was."

McLaren F1 boss Stella commented: "Our feeling is that we are displeased that we were denied the opportunity to race."

"It's surprising that some racers with a lot of experience don't act with appropriate caution. Enter the first corner, ensure you don't damage other drivers and continue."

The team suggested that the team principal was pointing to both Hulkenberg and Alonso.

Contrasting Views on the Crash

Nevertheless, former champion Damon Hill, providing analysis for a sports broadcast, said he thought the Australian had not demonstrated enough understanding of the dangers of the opening turn of an Formula 1 event when he decided to move inside to try to overtake Norris.

Piastri had a stronger launch than the Briton and at first competed on the outside on the uphill entry to the turn.

However he then cut back in an effort to get a run on Norris on the exit, only to make contact with the Sauber driver.

Driver Reactions After the Incident

The McLaren driver said: "Not ideal but I did not see what happened, I tried to move inside on Norris and we were both quite distant from the corner apex and then were struck and it propelled me into Lando. A shame."

Norris commented: "I just was struck, right? I did nothing wrong. Behind us things happened and I just was unfortunate and got hit because of it. I am unsure. I need to review a bit more thoroughly. It's more drivers further back just being a bit careless and we are the consequence of that."

Alonso said: "At one point I thought I was in the right place on the inside, but some vehicles came very quickly from the outside changing direction and then I was there in the middle."

Hulkenberg, who had qualified a season-best fourth place, said: "Major disappointment. All the good work from the previous day in the bin. Just messy."

"Oscar steered inward pretty aggressively trying to get the undercut and way out of the first corner but I cannot vanish."

"I had Fernando challenge on the inside and I was unable to see him any more. I wanted to provide room for him and then Oscar turned in and the collision was inevitable."

Aftermath and McLaren's Reaction

The team will review the incident with their racers but only after the race weekend. Both cars needed extensive work before grand prix qualifying at 10 PM BST on the weekend.

The team principal said: "In general displeased but we accept it, we are now focusing on repairing the cars, there is a lot to do and then we will resume the weekend from there."

"We are in a competitive place from our performance point of view so I hope we have the opportunity to race, compete fairly and capitalise on our capabilities."

"The points are the most important thing, I prefer not to talk about bad intentions, just prudence. A bit more care would be beneficial for all involved."

Championship Implications

The sprint event was won by the Max Verstappen, who closed in on both team racers in the standings - he is now fifty-five points behind the Australian and 33 behind of the Briton.

The team boss said: "The consequence is what the maths says - we missed out on eight points with both drivers, but we concentrate on ourselves. We have a highly capable car and two skilled racers. We anticipate just some normal racing."

Verstappen said he was approaching the title race race by race.

US GP

October 17-19, with race from 20:00 BST on Sunday

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