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

Piastri, ahead of Norris in the standings by twenty-two points, crashed into his team-mate after making contact with the Nico Hulkenberg.

The collision eliminated both team drivers from the event, along with Aston Martin's Alonso, who was on the inner side of Hulkenberg.

Team Executives Voice Frustration Over Crash

Brown, the team's CEO, told Sky Sports that some of the racing at the front was "amateur hour", stating: "Obviously Nico hit Oscar and he had no reason being where he was."

The team team principal Andrea Stella added: "The reaction is that we are displeased that we didn't have the possibility to race."

"It's surprising that some racers with a lot of experience fail to act with justful prudence. Go to the first corner, make sure you avoid harming other drivers and continue."

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

Differing Perspectives on the Crash

Nevertheless, former champion Damon Hill, providing analysis for a sports broadcast, said he believed 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 his teammate.

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

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

Driver Reactions After the Collision

Piastri said: "Not ideal but I did not see what happened, I attempted to cut back 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 said: "I just was struck, right? I did nothing wrong. Further back things happened and I just was unfortunate and got hit because of it. I don't know. I need to look 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 thought I was in the correct position on the inside, but some vehicles came very quickly from the outside changing direction and then I was there in the center."

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

"Oscar steered inward pretty forcefully trying to get the undercut and exit of Turn One but I can't just disappear."

"I had Fernando challenge on the inner side and I couldn't see him any more. I wanted to provide room for him and then Oscar steered inward and the contact was unavoidable."

Post-Crash and McLaren's Reaction

McLaren will review the crash with their racers but not until the event weekend. Both cars needed significant repairs before qualifying session at 22:00 BST on the weekend.

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

"We are in a competitive place from our competitiveness point of view so I trust we have the possibility to compete, compete fairly and utilize our capabilities."

"The points are the most important thing, I prefer not to talk about mal-intent, just prudence. A little more care would be good for all involved."

Championship Implications

The sprint event was won by Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who closed in on both McLaren drivers in the standings - he is now fifty-five points behind Piastri and 33 adrift of the Briton.

The team boss said: "The implication is what the maths says - we lost eight championship points with both drivers, but we focus on ourselves. We have a very competitive car and two skilled racers. We anticipate just some normal racing."

The Red Bull driver said he was approaching the championship one event at a time.

US GP

17-19 October, with main event from 8 PM BST on the final day

Real-time analysis on BBC Radio 5 Live, additional channels and Sports Extra 2; live text updates on BBC Sport website and app