Zak Brown Blasts 'Amateur Hour' After Double McLaren DNF

McLaren CEO Zak Brown lambasted Nico Hulkenberg's driving as 'amateur hour' after a Lap 1 collision in the sprint race took out both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The incident, which saw Hulkenberg make contact with Piastri, sending the Australian into Norris, marked a disastrous start for McLaren, who had their drivers lined up in second and third on the grid. Brown emphatically placed the blame on Hulkenberg, expressing frustration over the avoidable contact.

Why it matters:

This double DNF is a significant blow for McLaren, especially given their recent strong performances and the crucial championship points at stake. Having both cars out so early, particularly after a promising qualifying, impacts their constructors' championship standing and momentum. The incident also reignites concerns about multi-car incidents at the start of sprint races, highlighting the fine line between aggressive racing and avoidable contact.

The Details:

• Promising Start, Swift End: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri began the sprint race from second and third, respectively, positioning them for a strong points haul.
• Lap 1 Incident: Oscar Piastri made contact with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber into the opening corner. This contact then propelled Piastri into his teammate Lando Norris, eliminating both McLarens from the race.
• Blame Game: McLaren CEO Zak Brown was quick to assign blame to Hulkenberg, describing his driving as 'amateur hour' and stating that Hulkenberg 'had no business being where he was.'
• Stewards' Decision: Race stewards reviewed the incident but decided against taking any further action, a decision that will likely be met with mixed reactions within the paddock.
• Repeat Offense: This marks the second time in as many races that the two McLaren drivers have been involved in a Lap 1 incident, following their collision in Singapore two weeks prior. However, Brown made it clear he didn't attribute this incident to his own drivers.
• Damage Assessment: Initial assessments suggest the damage was primarily limited to suspension components, leading Brown to hope for a straightforward repair ahead of the upcoming qualifying session for Sunday's Grand Prix.

Looking Ahead:

While the immediate impact of the double DNF is a loss of valuable sprint race points, the focus for McLaren now shifts to quickly repairing the cars for qualifying. The team will be keen to move past this incident and ensure both drivers can compete strongly in the main race. The stewards' decision not to penalize Hulkenberg may also prompt further discussion regarding incident management in close-quarters racing.

• Qualifying Crucial: The team's ability to swiftly repair the cars for qualifying will be paramount in mitigating the damage from the sprint race.
• Driver Focus: Despite the setback, Norris and Piastri will need to reset and focus on maximizing their performance in the remaining sessions to salvage a strong result from the weekend.