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McLaren F1 team bosses Brown and Stella attributed competitors for the crash between Oscar Piastri and Norris at the beginning of the US GP sprint event.

The Australian driver, leading his teammate in the championship by twenty-two points, made contact with his team-mate after hitting the Hulkenberg.

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

McLaren Leaders Express Disappointment Over Incident

Brown, McLaren Racing's CEO, told Sky Sports that some of the racing at the front was "unprofessional", remarking: "Obviously Nico made contact with Piastri and he had no reason being where he was."

McLaren F1 team principal Stella commented: "The reaction is that we are displeased that we didn't have the possibility to race."

"It's surprising that some racers with a lot of expertise fail to act with appropriate caution. Go to the first corner, make sure you avoid harming competitors and carry on."

The team suggested that the team principal was referring to both the Sauber driver and the Aston Martin driver.

Contrasting Views on the Incident

However, 1996 world champion Hill, commentating for BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, said he thought Piastri had not shown enough understanding of the risks of the first corner of an F1 race when he chose to move inside to try to pass Norris.

Piastri had a better start than Norris and at first competed on the outside on the ascending entry to the turn.

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

Racer Comments After the Collision

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

Norris said: "I just was struck, right? I did nothing wrong. Further back events unfolded and I just got unlucky and was struck because of it. I don't know. I need to look a bit more carefully. It's more drivers further back just being a bit careless and we are the consequence of that."

The Aston Martin driver said: "At one point I believed I was in the correct position on the inside, but some cars came very quickly from the outside switching back and then I was there in the middle."

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

"Piastri steered inward pretty forcefully trying to get the inside line and exit of Turn One but I can't just disappear."

"I had Alonso challenge on the inner side and I was unable to see him any more. I aimed to leave space for him and then Oscar turned in and the contact was unavoidable."

Post-Crash and McLaren's Reaction

The team will analyze the crash with their racers but not until the event weekend. Both cars needed significant repairs 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 fixing the vehicles, there is a lot to do and then we will restart the weekend from there."

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

"The points are the key thing, I don't want to talk about mal-intent, just prudence. A bit more prudence would be beneficial for all involved."

Standings Impact

The race was won by the Max Verstappen, who closed in on both team racers in the championship - he is now 55 points behind Piastri and thirty-three adrift of Norris.

The team boss said: "The consequence is what the maths show - we missed out on eight championship points with both drivers, but we concentrate on ourselves. We have a very competitive car and two skilled racers. We look forward to just some standard competition."

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

United States Grand Prix

October 17-19, with main event from 8 PM BST on Sunday

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