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

Piastri, leading Norris in the standings by twenty-two points, bounced into his team-mate after colliding with the Hulkenberg.

The crash forced out both McLaren drivers out of the event, along with Aston Martin's Alonso, who was on the inside of Hulkenberg.

Team Executives Voice Frustration Over Crash

Brown, McLaren Racing's chief executive officer, told broadcasters that some of the driving at the start was "amateur hour", adding: "Obviously Hulkenberg drove into Oscar and he had no reason being where he was."

McLaren F1 boss Stella commented: "The reaction is that we are displeased that we were denied the possibility to race."

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

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

Differing Perspectives on the Incident

However, former champion Hill, commentating for BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, said he believed the Australian had not demonstrated enough awareness of the risks of the first corner of an Formula 1 event when he chose to move inside to try to pass Norris.

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

However he then cut back in an attempt to get a run on Norris on the way out, only to collide with the Sauber driver.

Racer Comments After the Collision

Piastri said: "Not ideal but I did not see what occurred, I tried to move inside on Lando and we were both very far from the apex and then got a hit and it sent me into Lando. Unfortunate."

Norris said: "I just got hit, right? I was not at fault. Behind us things happened and I just got unlucky and got hit because of it. I don't know. I need to review a bit more carefully. It's more people behind just being a bit reckless and we are the consequence of that."

The Aston Martin driver said: "At one point I believed I was in the right place on the inside, but some vehicles came very fast from the outside changing direction and then I was there in the middle."

The Sauber driver, who had earned a season-best fourth place, said: "Big frustrations. All the good work from yesterday in the bin. Just messy."

"Piastri turned in pretty aggressively trying to get the undercut and exit of the first corner but I cannot vanish."

"I had Fernando challenge on the inner side and I couldn't see him any more. I aimed to leave space for him and then Piastri steered inward and the collision was unavoidable."

Aftermath and Team Response

The team will review the crash with their racers but not until the event weekend. Both cars 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 focusing on repairing the vehicles, there is a lot to do and then we will restart the event from there."

"Our team holds a strong position from our performance point of view so I trust we have the opportunity to compete, compete fairly and capitalise on our capabilities."

"Championship points are the most important thing, I don't want to talk about bad intentions, just caution. A little more care would be good for everyone."

Standings Impact

The race was won by Red Bull's Verstappen, who closed in on both McLaren drivers in the standings - he is now fifty-five points behind Piastri and 33 adrift of Norris.

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

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

US GP

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

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