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McLaren F1 team executives Brown and Stella attributed competitors for the crash between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the start of the US GP sprint race.

The Australian driver, ahead of Norris in the championship by twenty-two points, bounced into his team-mate after colliding with the Hulkenberg.

The incident eliminated both team drivers from the race, along with Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, who was on the inner side of Hulkenberg.

McLaren Leaders Voice Frustration Over Incident

Zak Brown, the team's chief executive officer, told Sky Sports that some of the racing at the front was "inexperienced", adding: "Clearly Hulkenberg made contact with Oscar and he had no reason being where he was."

McLaren F1 team principal Andrea Stella commented: "Our feeling is that we are disappointed that we were denied the chance to compete."

"It is unexpected that some racers with a lot of experience fail to act with necessary care. Enter the first corner, make sure you don't damage other drivers and continue."

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

Contrasting Views on the Crash

Nevertheless, 1996 world champion Damon Hill, commentating for a sports broadcast, said he thought Piastri had not demonstrated enough awareness of the dangers of the opening turn of an F1 race when he decided to cut back to try to overtake his teammate.

Piastri had a stronger launch than Norris and at first challenged on the outer side on the uphill approach to the corner.

However he then cut back in an effort to get a run on his teammate on the exit, only to hit the Sauber driver.

Racer Comments After the Incident

The McLaren driver said: "Less than perfect but I haven't seen what happened, I attempted to cut back on Norris and we were both very far from the apex and then got a hit and it sent me into Lando. A shame."

His teammate commented: "I just got hit, right? I did nothing wrong. Behind us events unfolded and I just got unlucky and was struck because of it. I don't know. I need to review a bit more carefully. It's more drivers further back just being a bit careless and we are the result of that."

Alonso said: "At one point I thought I was in the correct position on the inside, but some vehicles came very fast from the outside changing direction and then I was there in the center."

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

"Oscar steered inward pretty aggressively trying to get the inside line and exit of the first corner but I can't just disappear."

"I had Alonso attack on the inside and I couldn't see him any more. I aimed to provide room for him and then Piastri steered inward and the contact was inevitable."

Aftermath and Team Response

The team will review the crash with their racers but not until the race weekend. Both vehicles needed significant repairs before grand prix qualifying at 10 PM BST on Saturday.

The team principal said: "Overall displeased but we accept it, we are now focusing on fixing the vehicles, there is a lot to do and then we will resume the event from there."

"We are in a competitive place from our competitiveness point of view so I trust we have the possibility to race, race normally and capitalise on our capabilities."

"Championship 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."

Standings Impact

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 Piastri and thirty-three behind of the Briton.

The team boss said: "The consequence is what the numbers says - we lost eight championship points with both racers, but we concentrate on ourselves. We have a very competitive vehicle and two strong racers. We look forward to just some standard competition."

The Red Bull driver said he was approaching the title race race by race.

United States Grand Prix

October 17-19, with main event from 20:00 BST on the final day

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