Zak Brown at the US Grand Prix's press conference - Photo: Race Pictures

Zak Brown changes his view on McLaren double DNF's culprit

11:36, 19 Oct

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byKada Sarkozi

Zak Brown has changed his mind on who was to blame for the Turn 1 incident during the Sprint.

"I’ve reviewed it. I think I’ve changed my view. I can’t really put that on Nico."

- Zak Brown

Saturday’s Sprint was one to forget for McLaren, as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri made contact in Turn 1, forcing both drivers to retire.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen claimed all eight points, cutting his deficit to the Australian driver to 55 points in the standings.

McLaren CEO Brown blamed Nico Hulkenberg for the incident immediately after the Sprint.

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Speaking to Sky Sports, he commented: "That was some amateur hour driving from some of the drivers up there at the front and wiped our two guys."

"I want to see the replay again but, clearly, Nico drove into Oscar and he had no business being where he was and went into his left-rear tyre," the American explained.

Norris getting out of his car in the Sprint - Photo: Race Pictures

Brown changes his opinion after review

During qualifying, Brown explained to the British broadcaster that he sees the situation differently.

He said: “No. I’ve reviewed it. I think I’ve changed my view. I can’t really put that on Nico.

“So in the heat of the moment, obviously pretty bothered what I saw there, you know, a lot of incidents in Turn 1. But, I don’t think that’s on Nico,” he concluded.

Norris will once again line up alongside Verstappen on the grid for today's United States Grand Prix.

His teammate Piastri had a more difficult qualifying session. The championship leader finished sixth and will start behind the two Ferrari drivers and George Russell.

The 2025 United States Grand Prix begins at 20:00 BST (14:00 local time).

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