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McLaren F1 team bosses Zak Brown and Stella pointed to competitors for the crash between Oscar Piastri and Norris at the start of the United States Grand Prix sprint race.

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

Team Executives Voice Frustration Over Incident

Brown, the team's chief executive officer, commented to broadcasters that some of the racing at the front was "amateur hour", remarking: "Obviously Hulkenberg made contact with Piastri and he had no reason being where he was."

The team boss Stella stated: "The reaction is that we are disappointed that we didn't have the opportunity to race."

"It's surprising that some drivers with a lot of experience don't act with justful prudence. Enter the initial turn, ensure you don't damage other drivers and continue."

McLaren clarified that the team principal was pointing to both the Sauber driver and the Aston Martin driver.

Differing Perspectives on the Crash

However, former champion Damon 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 overtake Norris.

Piastri had a stronger launch than Norris and at first challenged on the outer side on the ascending entry to the turn.

However he then cut back in an attempt to get a run on his teammate on the exit, only to collide with Hulkenberg.

Driver Reactions After the Collision

The McLaren driver said: "Less than perfect but I did not see what occurred, I attempted to move inside on Norris and we were both quite distant from the corner apex and then were struck and it propelled me into Norris. A shame."

His teammate said: "I just was struck, right? I was not at fault. Further back events unfolded and I just got unlucky and was struck because of it. I don't know. I need to review a bit more thoroughly. It's more drivers behind 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 inner side, but some vehicles came very fast from the outer side switching back and then I was there in the middle."

The Sauber driver, who had earned a best qualifying fourth place, said: "Big frustrations. All the good work from the previous day in the trash. Just chaotic."

"Oscar steered inward pretty aggressively trying to get the undercut 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 wanted to provide room for him and then Piastri steered inward and the collision was inevitable."

Aftermath and Team Response

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

The team principal said: "Overall displeased but we take it on the chin, 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 race, race normally and capitalise on our performance."

"The points are the most important thing, I prefer not to talk about mal-intent, just prudence. A bit more prudence would be beneficial for everyone."

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 33 behind of the Briton.

The team boss said: "The implication is what the numbers says - we lost eight championship 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."

Verstappen said he was taking the title race one event at a time.

US GP

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

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