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McLaren F1 team bosses Brown and Stella attributed competitors for the crash between Piastri and Lando Norris at the beginning of the United States Grand Prix sprint race.

The Australian driver, leading his teammate in the championship by 22 points, made contact with his team-mate after colliding with Sauber's Hulkenberg.

The incident forced out both McLaren drivers from the event, along with Aston Martin's Alonso, who was on the inner side of the Sauber driver.

Team Executives Express Disappointment Over Crash

Zak Brown, McLaren Racing's chief executive officer, stated to broadcasters that some of the racing at the front was "amateur hour", remarking: "Obviously Hulkenberg hit Piastri and he had no business being where he was."

The team team principal Andrea Stella commented: "The reaction is that we are displeased that we were denied the chance to compete."

"It is unexpected that some racers with a lot of experience don't act with appropriate caution. Go to the first corner, make sure you don't damage competitors and continue."

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

Differing Perspectives on the Crash

However, 1996 world champion Damon Hill, commentating for a sports broadcast, said he thought the Australian had not shown enough understanding of the risks of the first corner of an Formula 1 event when he decided to cut back to try to overtake Norris.

Piastri had a stronger launch than Norris and initially challenged on the outer side on the uphill approach to the turn.

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

Racer Comments After the Incident

The McLaren driver said: "Less than perfect but I did not see what occurred, I tried to cut back on Lando and we were both quite distant from the apex and then got a hit and it sent me into Norris. Unfortunate."

Norris commented: "I just got hit, right? I did nothing wrong. Behind us things happened and I just was unfortunate and got hit because of it. I am unsure. I need to review a bit more thoroughly. It's more people behind just being a bit reckless and we are the result 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 quickly from the outside changing direction and then I was there in the center."

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

"Oscar turned in pretty forcefully trying to get the inside line and way out of Turn One but I cannot vanish."

"I had Alonso challenge on the inner side and I was unable to see him any more. I aimed to provide room for him and then Oscar steered inward and the collision was unavoidable."

Aftermath and McLaren's Reaction

McLaren will analyze the crash with their racers but only after the race weekend. Both vehicles needed extensive work before qualifying session at 10 PM BST on Saturday.

Stella said: "In general 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 resume the weekend 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 utilize our capabilities."

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

Standings Impact

The race was won by the Max Verstappen, who gained ground on both McLaren drivers in the championship - he is now 55 points behind Piastri and 33 behind of Norris.

The team boss said: "The implication is what the maths says - we lost eight championship points with both racers, but we focus on ourselves. We have a very competitive car 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.

US GP

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

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