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McLaren Formula 1 leaders Zak Brown and Stella attributed competitors for the crash between Oscar Piastri and Norris at the beginning of the US GP sprint race.

The Australian driver, leading Norris in the championship by twenty-two points, bounced into his fellow McLaren driver after making contact with the Hulkenberg.

The collision eliminated both team drivers out of the race, along with the Fernando Alonso, who was on the inside of the Sauber driver.

McLaren Leaders Express Disappointment Over Crash

Zak Brown, McLaren Racing's CEO, told Sky Sports that some of the racing at the start was "inexperienced", stating: "Obviously Hulkenberg drove into Piastri and he had no reason being where he was."

The team boss Andrea Stella stated: "Our feeling is that we are displeased that we didn't have the chance to compete."

"It is unexpected that some drivers with a lot of experience don't act with necessary care. Go to the first corner, ensure you don't damage other drivers and carry on."

The team suggested that Stella was pointing to both the Sauber driver and Alonso.

Contrasting Views on the Crash

However, former champion Damon Hill, providing analysis for BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, said he thought Piastri had not shown enough understanding of the risks of the opening turn of an F1 race when he chose to move inside to try to overtake his teammate.

The Australian had a stronger launch than the Briton and at first competed on the outside on the ascending entry to the corner.

But he then cut back in an effort to get a advantage on Norris on the exit, only to hit Hulkenberg.

Racer Comments After the Incident

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

His teammate said: "I just got hit, right? I did nothing wrong. Behind us events unfolded and I just was unfortunate and was struck because of it. I am unsure. I need to look a bit more carefully. It's more people further back just being a bit reckless and we are the consequence of that."

Alonso said: "At one point I believed I was in the right place on the inner side, but some vehicles came very quickly from the outside switching back and then I was there in the middle."

Hulkenberg, who had qualified a season-best fourth, said: "Major disappointment. All the strong performance from the previous day in the bin. Just chaotic."

"Oscar turned in pretty forcefully trying to get the undercut and way out of Turn One but I can't just disappear."

"I had Fernando challenge on the inside and I couldn't see him any more. I wanted to provide room for him and then Piastri steered inward and the collision was inevitable."

Aftermath and Team Response

The team will review the incident with their drivers but not until the race weekend. Both cars needed extensive work before grand prix qualifying at 10 PM BST on the weekend.

Stella said: "Overall disappointed but we take it on the chin, we are now focusing on fixing the vehicles, there is a lot to do and then we will resume the weekend from there."

"Our team holds a competitive place from our competitiveness point of view so I trust we have the opportunity to compete, compete fairly and utilize our performance."

"Championship points are the most important thing, I prefer not to talk about mal-intent, just caution. A little more care would be beneficial for all involved."

Standings Impact

The race was taken by the Verstappen, who closed in on both team racers in the standings - he is now 55 points behind the Australian and thirty-three adrift of the Briton.

Stella said: "The implication is what the maths says - we lost eight points with both racers, but we focus on ourselves. We have a highly capable vehicle and two skilled racers. We look forward to just some normal racing."

The Red Bull driver said he was approaching the championship one event at a time.

US GP

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

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