Autobayng News Team
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has retracted his claim Nico Hulkenberg caused the crash which eliminated both of his cars in yesterday’s sprint race.
Hulkenberg was one of four drivers involved in the collision at turn one yesterday. The other three – McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, plus Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso – all retired due to damage.
The collision occured as Piastri tried to turn in sharply behind Norris at the corner while Alonso behind dived down the inside of Hulkenberg. That left Hulkenberg unable to avoid Piastri, which triggered a multi-car crash.
Brown initially laid the blame for the collision at Hulkenberg’s feet. “That was terrible,” he told Sky during the race. “Neither of our drivers were to blame there and some amateur hour driving from drivers up there at the front whacked our two guys.”
“Clearly Nico drove into Oscar and he had no business being where he was, he went into his left-rear tyre,” Brown added.
However later in the day Brown revised his opinion after watching the incident again. “I’ve reviewed it and I think I’ve changed my view,” he said. “I can’t really put that on Nico.
“In the heat of the moment, obviously [I was] pretty bothered with what I saw there. A lot of incidents in turn one, but I don’t think that’s on Nico.”
The stewards took no action over the incident.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Penalty box
Should the stewards have issued a penalty for the first-lap collision? Cast your vote below and have your say in the comments.
Should any driver have been penalised for the first-lap collision in the Austin sprint race?
- No driver should have been penalised (71%)
- Another driver should have been penalised (0%)
- Fernando Alonso should have been penalised (3%)
- Nico Hulkenberg should have been penalised (4%)
- Oscar Piastri should have been penalised (21%)
- Lando Norris should have been penalised (1%)
Total Voters: 77
Loading …
A RaceFans account is required in order to vote. If you do not have one, register an account here or read more about registering here. When this poll is closed the result will be displayed instead of the voting form.
Pictures: McLaren pair eliminated in sprint race
Miss nothing from RaceFans
Get a daily email with all our latest stories – and nothing else. No marketing, no ads. Sign up here:
