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McLaren F1 team bosses Brown and Stella attributed opposing racers for the collision between Oscar Piastri and Norris at the start of the US GP sprint race.

The Australian driver, ahead of his teammate in the championship by twenty-two points, bounced into his team-mate after making contact with the Nico Hulkenberg.

The incident eliminated both team drivers out of the event, along with Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, who was on the inside of the Sauber driver.

Team Executives Voice Frustration Over Crash

Zak Brown, McLaren Racing's chief executive officer, told broadcasters that some of the racing at the start was "amateur hour", stating: "Clearly Nico hit Oscar and he had no business being where he was."

McLaren F1 boss Stella commented: "Our feeling is that we are displeased that we were denied the chance to race."

"It is unexpected that some racers with a lot of experience fail to act with appropriate caution. Go to the first corner, ensure you avoid harming competitors and carry on."

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

Differing Perspectives on the Incident

Nevertheless, 1996 world champion Damon Hill, providing analysis for BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, said he believed Piastri had not shown enough understanding of the risks of the first corner of an Formula 1 event when he chose to move inside to try to pass Norris.

The Australian had a better start than the Briton and initially competed on the outside on the ascending entry to the turn.

But he then moved inside in an attempt to get a run on Norris on the exit, only to make contact with the Sauber driver.

Driver Reactions After the Collision

Piastri said: "Less than perfect but I did not see what occurred, I attempted to move inside on Lando and we were both very far from the apex and then were struck and it sent me into Lando. A shame."

His teammate commented: "I just was struck, right? I was not at fault. Further back events unfolded and I just got unlucky and got hit because of it. I don't know. I need to review a bit more thoroughly. It's more drivers further back just being a bit reckless and we are the consequence of that."

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

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

"Piastri steered inward pretty aggressively trying to get the undercut and way out of the first corner but I can't just disappear."

"I had Fernando challenge on the inner side and I couldn't see him any more. I aimed to provide room for him and then Piastri turned in and the contact was unavoidable."

Aftermath and McLaren's Reaction

The team will review the crash with their racers but only after the event weekend. Both cars needed extensive work before grand prix qualifying at 10 PM BST on Saturday.

Stella said: "In general disappointed but we take it on the chin, we are now concentrating on repairing the cars, there is a lot to do and then we will resume the event 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 utilize our capabilities."

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

Championship Implications

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 the Australian and thirty-three behind of Norris.

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

Verstappen said he was taking the championship race by race.

United States Grand Prix

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

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