AUSTIN, TEXAS — Absolute heartbreak for McLaren at the United States Grand Prix Sprint! What was supposed to be a golden opportunity to fight for points turned into a nightmare within seconds of the lights going out at Circuit of the Americas.
As the field roared into Turn 1, chaos erupted — Nico Hülkenberg clipped Oscar Piastri, who in turn collided with teammate Lando Norris. Both McLarens were sent spinning out of contention in a flash of carbon fiber and disbelief.
The Safety Car was immediately deployed as marshals cleared the debris field left behind by the papaya pair. Fortunately, both drivers walked away unharmed, but the damage was done — McLaren’s Sprint hopes vanished before the first lap was even complete.
“An absolute nightmare start for McLaren,” came the stunned call over team radio as the orange cars sat stricken on the hill.
In an instant, the team that had looked so fast all weekend saw its entire race imploded through a chain reaction not entirely of its own making. Piastri’s car took the hit first, Norris had nowhere to go — and the rest of the field swept by as McLaren’s mechanics watched in disbelief from the pit wall.
From front-row potential to double heartbreak in just one corner. Austin’s Sprint has delivered its first dose of Texas-sized drama — and McLaren got the worst of it.
