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McLaren F1 team leaders Zak Brown and Stella attributed rival drivers for the crash between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the start of the United States Grand Prix sprint event.

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

The incident forced out both McLaren drivers out of the race, along with the Alonso, who was on the inner side of the Sauber driver.

McLaren Leaders Voice Frustration Over Crash

Zak Brown, the team's CEO, commented to Sky Sports that some of the driving at the start was "unprofessional", remarking: "Obviously Hulkenberg drove into Oscar and he had no reason being where he was."

McLaren F1 team principal Stella commented: "Our feeling is that we are displeased that we were denied the possibility to race."

"It's surprising that some drivers with a lot of expertise fail to act with necessary care. Enter the initial turn, ensure you avoid harming other drivers and carry on."

The team clarified that Stella was mentioning both the Sauber driver and Alonso.

Contrasting Views on the Crash

However, former champion Hill, providing analysis for a sports broadcast, said he thought Piastri had not demonstrated enough awareness of the dangers of the opening turn of an Formula 1 event when he decided to move inside to try to pass Norris.

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

But he then cut back in an attempt to get a run on his teammate on the way out, only to make contact with the Sauber driver.

Driver Reactions After the Collision

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

His teammate said: "I just got hit, right? I did nothing wrong. Behind us things happened and I just got unlucky and was struck because of it. I am unsure. I need to review a bit more carefully. It's more drivers behind just being a bit reckless and we are the result of that."

Alonso said: "At one point I thought I was in the right place on the inner side, but some vehicles came very quickly from the outer side changing direction and then I was there in the middle."

Hulkenberg, who had earned a best qualifying fourth place, said: "Big frustrations. All the strong performance from yesterday in the bin. Just chaotic."

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

"I had Alonso challenge on the inner side and I couldn't see him any more. I aimed to leave space for him and then Oscar turned in and the contact was inevitable."

Aftermath and Team Response

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

Stella said: "In general displeased but we accept it, we are now concentrating on fixing the cars, there is a lot to do and then we will resume the weekend from there."

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

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

Championship Implications

The race was taken by the 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 numbers show - we lost eight points with both racers, but we focus on ourselves. We have a highly capable car and two strong drivers. We anticipate just some standard competition."

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

United States Grand Prix

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

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