McLaren Drivers Collide in Dramatic US GP Sprint Start

The 2025 United States Grand Prix sprint race at Austin began with immediate chaos, as both McLaren drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, were involved in a first-corner collision that forced them out of the race. The incident also collected Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, leading to an early yellow flag and significant implications for McLaren's data gathering ahead of the main Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

The early exit of both McLaren cars from the sprint race is a significant setback, not only for points but critically for data collection. With limited time to prepare for Sunday's Grand Prix, McLaren missed a crucial opportunity to gather information on tire degradation, ride height, and skid block performance. This lack of data could impact their strategy and setup decisions for the main race.

The details:

• The Incident: As Max Verstappen defended his pole position into Turn 1, a chain reaction occurred. Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg made contact with championship leader Verstappen, which then led to Piastri hitting Hulkenberg, causing Piastri to go up on two wheels. Piastri's car then made contact with Norris, forcing both McLarens out.
• Driver Reactions: Lando Norris initially expressed frustration, unaware his teammate was involved, stating, "Someone just wiped me out, I'm out." Oscar Piastri attempted to tuck under Norris, but contact with Hulkenberg escalated the situation.
• Team Principal's View: McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown was quick to defend his drivers, attributing blame to "amateur-hour driving by some drivers up there at the front." He specifically pointed to Nico Hulkenberg driving into Piastri's left-rear tire.
• Damage Assessment: Early indications suggested the damage was primarily to the suspension, which hopefully implies a relatively straightforward fix for the team given the tight schedule before qualifying.
• Consequences: Besides Piastri and Norris, Fernando Alonso was also caught in the melee and forced to retire. The incident resulted in yellow flags and debris on track, further disrupting the sprint.

What's next:

McLaren now faces a race against time to repair both cars before qualifying for the main Grand Prix, which is just hours away. The focus will be on ensuring mechanical integrity, but the lost data from the sprint could prove to be a significant handicap for their Sunday performance. Resolving the damage quickly and effectively will be crucial for McLaren to salvage their Austin weekend. This incident sets up a challenging weekend for the Woking-based squad, as they aim to bounce back from an incredibly dramatic start.