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oscar piastri Labeled his first lap collision with teammate lando norris A “racing incident” occurred in the United States, as he denied allegations that it was his fault. The crash that took out the title rivals.
Piastri, from third on the grid, attempted to cut back inside Norris at a sharp turn at the Circuit of the Americas, but turned straight into Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg.
The Australian’s car lifted up and hit Norris’ left rear. mclarenThe British drivers’ tires sent careers across the track.
Norris was immediately ruled out, with Piastri limping for some time, before suspension damage also affected his participation.
It was a costly affair for the title rivals and allowed the sprint winner max verstappen Closing within Piastri’s 55 points and Norris’ 33 points.
Holding Norris responsible for the assault on Piastri in Singapore a fortnight earlier, McLaren decided to impose unspecified “consequences” on Norris.
It was a minor tap compared to the first-lap massacre in Austin, which many pundits – including former world champion Jenson Button – blamed on Piastri.
Piastri said, “I think for me it was a racing incident. I was quite far from the top and I think the cars behind were going too deep into the corner.”
“Could I have done anything different? Probably yes, but what would have been different would have been potentially letting two or three cars go.
“I think the racing event is appropriate.”
mclaren chief executive jack brown Initially strong in defense of his driver at the pit wall, he told Sky Sports: “That’s some amateur hour driving by some of the drivers up front there.”
He later withdrew his assessment that Hülkenberg was at fault, but did not specify who he felt was at fault.
McLaren’s decision to involve itself Title fight by sanctioning Norris after SingaporeFor a first-lap maneuver that was deemed legal FIAWhat they decide to do after this latest confrontation will raise questions.
Norris believes this will still be addressed after the weekend.
“I think it will be reviewed to understand some more things. Yes, but apart from that, I can’t do anything. I just have to move on and do my job.
“As a team we don’t want these things to happen.”
Piastri endured a difficult day in Austin and could only manage sixth on the grid in qualifying for Sunday’s 56-lap race.
Verstappen, who has finished ahead of the McLaren pair in each of the last three races, again claimed pole and put himself in the title picture with 166 points still left to fight for.
Norris was three tenths behind in second but will be glad to see Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton between him and title rival Piastri on the grid as he looks to reduce the gap to 22 points in the standings.
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