P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The blame has been put on Oscar Piastri for McLaren’s disastrous first-corner wipeout in the Austin sprint.
Martin Brundle believes Oscar Piastri was primarily responsible for McLaren’s first corner crash in the United States Grand Prix sprint race, as Piastri’s aggressive move led to a collision with Nico Hulkenberg and teammate Lando Norris.
Brundle, a Sky Sports F1 co-commentator, stated in his column that Piastri’s decision to cut back underneath Norris was a key factor in the crash, especially given the challenging nature of the first corner at the Circuit of the Americas.
The unique characteristics of the first turn, including its elevation changes and narrow apex, created a high-risk environment for contact during the start of the race, with drivers vying for position.
Despite Piastri’s championship lead being reduced to 14 points following the incident, Brundle pointed out that the Australian driver’s actions were more suited to normal combat rather than the frantic start of a race.
Ultimately, Max Verstappen capitalized on the chaos to secure victory in the sprint race and subsequent grand prix, further solidifying his position as a title contender ahead of the remaining races in the season.
