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McLaren Formula 1 leaders Brown and Andrea Stella attributed competitors for the collision between Piastri and Norris at the start of the US GP sprint race.

The Australian driver, ahead of Norris in the championship by twenty-two points, made contact with his team-mate after colliding with the Nico Hulkenberg.

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

Team Executives Voice Frustration Over Crash

Brown, the team's chief executive officer, commented to Sky Sports that some of the racing at the front was "unprofessional", stating: "Clearly Hulkenberg drove into Oscar and he had no business being where he was."

The team boss Stella added: "Our feeling is that we are disappointed that we were denied the opportunity to compete."

"It's surprising that some racers with a lot of expertise don't act with appropriate caution. Enter the initial turn, make sure you avoid harming competitors and continue."

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

Differing Perspectives on the Incident

Nevertheless, 1996 world champion Hill, providing analysis for a sports broadcast, said he thought the Australian had not shown enough understanding of the risks of the opening turn of an F1 race when he decided to cut back to try to overtake his teammate.

The Australian had a stronger launch than Norris and initially competed on the outer side on the ascending approach to the corner.

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

Driver Reactions After the Collision

Piastri said: "Not ideal but I did not see what occurred, I tried to cut back on Norris and we were both very far from the apex and then got a hit and it propelled me into Norris. Unfortunate."

Norris commented: "I just got hit, right? I did nothing wrong. Behind us events unfolded and I just was unfortunate and was struck because of it. I don't know. I need to review a bit more carefully. It's more people further back just being a bit reckless 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 outside switching back 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 trash. Just chaotic."

"Oscar turned in pretty aggressively trying to get the inside line and way out of Turn One but I cannot vanish."

"I had Fernando challenge on the inner side and I was unable to see him any more. I aimed to leave space for him and then Oscar steered inward and the contact was unavoidable."

Post-Crash and McLaren's Reaction

McLaren will analyze the incident with their racers but not until the event weekend. Both vehicles needed extensive work before grand prix qualifying at 10 PM BST on Saturday.

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

"We are in a strong position from our competitiveness point of view so I trust we have the opportunity to compete, race normally and capitalise on our capabilities."

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

Championship Implications

The sprint event was taken by the Max Verstappen, who gained ground on both McLaren drivers in the championship - he is now fifty-five points behind the Australian and thirty-three adrift of the Briton.

Stella said: "The implication is what the numbers says - we missed out on eight championship points with both racers, but we concentrate on ourselves. We have a very competitive car and two skilled racers. We anticipate just some normal racing."

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

United States Grand Prix

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

Real-time analysis on sports radio, additional channels and Sports Extra 2; real-time updates on BBC Sport website and mobile application