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McLaren F1 team executives Zak Brown and Stella attributed rival drivers for the crash between Piastri and Lando Norris at the beginning of the US GP sprint race.

Piastri, ahead of Norris in the championship by 22 points, made contact with his fellow McLaren driver after making contact with the Hulkenberg.

The incident eliminated both McLaren drivers from the event, along with the Fernando Alonso, who was on the inner side of the Sauber driver.

Team Executives Express Disappointment Over Incident

Zak Brown, the team's CEO, told broadcasters that some of the racing at the start was "amateur hour", adding: "Clearly Nico hit Oscar and he had no reason being where he was."

McLaren F1 boss Stella stated: "The reaction is that we are disappointed that we were denied the possibility to compete."

"It's surprising that some racers with a lot of expertise don't act with necessary care. Go to the first corner, ensure you avoid harming other drivers and continue."

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

Contrasting Views on the Crash

However, former champion Hill, commentating for BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, said he believed Piastri had not shown enough understanding of the risks of the first corner of an F1 race when he decided to cut back to try to overtake Norris.

Piastri had a better start than the Briton and initially challenged on the outer side on the uphill approach to the turn.

However he then moved inside in an attempt to get a advantage on Norris on the way out, only to make contact with Hulkenberg.

Racer Comments After the Incident

The McLaren driver said: "Not ideal but I did not see what occurred, I attempted to cut back on Lando and we were both quite distant from the apex and then were struck and it sent me into Lando. A shame."

Norris commented: "I just was struck, right? I did nothing wrong. Further back events unfolded and I just got unlucky and got hit because of it. I am unsure. I need to look a bit more thoroughly. It's more drivers behind just being a bit careless and we are the consequence of that."

The Aston Martin driver said: "At one point I thought I was in the correct position on the inner side, but some cars came very quickly from the outer side changing direction and then I was there in the center."

Hulkenberg, who had earned a best qualifying fourth place, said: "Big frustrations. All the good work from the previous day in the bin. Just messy."

"Oscar steered inward pretty forcefully trying to get the undercut and exit 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 incident with their drivers but not until the race weekend. Both vehicles needed significant repairs before grand prix qualifying at 10 PM BST on Saturday.

The team principal 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 restart the event from there."

"Our team holds a strong position from our performance point of view so I trust we have the opportunity to race, compete fairly and utilize our capabilities."

"Championship points are the key thing, I prefer not to talk about mal-intent, just prudence. A bit more prudence would be good for all involved."

Standings Impact

The race was won by Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who gained ground on both team racers in the standings - he is now 55 points behind Piastri and thirty-three adrift of Norris.

Stella said: "The consequence is what the maths show - we lost eight points with both drivers, but we focus on ourselves. We have a very competitive vehicle and two strong racers. We anticipate just some standard competition."

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

US GP

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

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