McLaren faced significant turmoil following the United States Grand Prix Sprint. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were forced to retire due to a first-lap collision. This incident came shortly after Norris’s own contact with Piastri during the Singapore Grand Prix, which led to team-imposed sanctions against Norris.
Collision at Circuit of The Americas
During the Austin race, Piastri attempted to overtake Norris at the first corner. Unfortunately, he encountered Nico Hulkenberg’s car, resulting in a severe collision that left both McLaren vehicles with irreparable damage. Piastri currently leads the Drivers’ Championship standings, holding a 22-point advantage over Norris.
Race Outcome and Implications
- Max Verstappen from Red Bull secured victory, closing the gap in the championship race.
- Verstappen is now just 55 points behind Piastri and 33 points behind Norris.
- The incident allowed Verstappen to gain crucial points during the Sprint.
Reactions to the Incident
Following the crash, McLaren executives, including CEO Zak Brown and Team Principal Andrea Stella, originally placed blame on Hulkenberg. However, Brown later revised his stance, acknowledging the situation’s complexity and suggesting it might not solely be Hulkenberg’s fault.
Expert Opinions
- Danica Patrick criticized Piastri’s decision-making, calling it a “bad judgement call.”
- Karun Chandhok labeled McLaren’s predicament as “tricky” given their recent sanctions against Norris.
Review and Future Considerations
Norris defended Piastri, arguing the latter was struck by another vehicle and should not bear responsibility for the incident. Piastri himself expressed that had he been aware of the surrounding cars, he might have acted differently but still viewed it as a racing incident.
The incident prompted discussions about McLaren’s recent decision to impose sanctions on Norris following the Singapore Grand Prix. The team’s handling of both drivers has attracted scrutiny, and many wonder if a change in that policy is forthcoming.
Next Steps for McLaren
With a race weekend in Mexico City approaching, McLaren will likely need to address the fallout from the Austin collision. Both Norris and Piastri are expected to participate in discussions to review the incident thoroughly.
The strategic handling of the team dynamics between Norris and Piastri will be crucial as they navigate the remainder of the season.
