McLaren Racing Attributes Crash to Rival Drivers for Team-Mate Crash

McLaren Formula 1 executives Zak Brown and Stella blamed opposing racers for the crash between Piastri and Lando Norris at the beginning of the United States Grand Prix sprint event.

Piastri, leading Norris in the standings by 22 points, bounced into his team-mate after colliding with Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg.

The crash eliminated both McLaren drivers out of the event, along with the Fernando Alonso, who was on the inside of Hulkenberg.

Team Executives Voice Frustration Over Incident

Brown, the team's CEO, commented to Sky Sports that some of the racing at the front was "unprofessional", stating: "Clearly Hulkenberg drove into Oscar and he had no business being where he was."

McLaren F1 team principal Andrea Stella added: "The reaction is that we are disappointed that we didn't have the opportunity to compete."

"It's surprising that some racers with a lot of expertise don't act with appropriate caution. Go to the first corner, ensure you avoid harming other drivers and carry on."

McLaren clarified that the team principal was mentioning both Hulkenberg and Alonso.

Contrasting Views on the Crash

However, 1996 world champion Hill, commentating for a sports broadcast, said he believed the Australian had not demonstrated enough awareness of the dangers of the opening turn of an Formula 1 event when he chose to move inside to try to overtake Norris.

The Australian had a better start than Norris and at first competed on the outer side on the uphill entry to the corner.

However he then cut back in an effort to get a advantage on Norris on the way out, only to make contact with Hulkenberg.

Racer Comments After the Incident

The McLaren driver said: "Not ideal but I haven't seen what occurred, I attempted to move inside on Norris and we were both very far from the corner apex and then got a hit and it propelled me into Lando. A shame."

His teammate said: "I just got hit, right? I did nothing wrong. Further back events unfolded and I just was unfortunate and was struck because of it. I don't know. I need to review a bit more thoroughly. It's more drivers further back just being a bit reckless and we are the consequence of that."

Alonso said: "At one point I thought I was in the right place on the inner side, but some cars came very fast from the outside changing direction and then I was there in the center."

The Sauber driver, who had earned a season-best fourth place, said: "Major disappointment. All the good work from yesterday in the trash. Just chaotic."

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

"I had Fernando attack on the inside and I couldn't see him any more. I aimed to leave space for him and then Piastri steered inward and the collision was inevitable."

Aftermath and Team Response

McLaren will review the incident with their drivers but not until the race weekend. Both vehicles needed extensive work before qualifying session at 22:00 BST on the weekend.

Stella said: "Overall displeased but we take it on the chin, we are now concentrating on repairing the vehicles, there is a lot to do and then we will restart the weekend from there."

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

"The points are the most important thing, I prefer not to talk about mal-intent, just prudence. A bit more care would be beneficial for everyone."

Standings Impact

The race was taken by Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who gained ground on both team racers in the championship - he is now fifty-five points behind Piastri and thirty-three adrift of Norris.

Stella said: "The consequence is what the maths show - we missed out on eight points with both racers, but we concentrate on ourselves. We have a highly capable car and two skilled racers. We look forward to just some normal racing."

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

US GP

October 17-19, with main event from 8 PM BST on the final day

Live commentary on sports radio, Sports Extra and Sports Extra 2; live text updates on BBC Sport website and mobile application