McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown rowed back on his criticism of Nico Hulkenberg after a United States Grand Prix Sprint incident which eliminated both McLaren cars.

Brown had initially called out Hulkenberg for “amateur hour” driving as Oscar Piastri was sent crashing into Lando Norris, but having watched the footage again, Brown now accepts that Hulkenberg could not be held responsible for the crash.

Zak Brown: ‘I can’t really put that on Nico’

Piastri challenged Norris for second into Turn 1, but on the outside line, Piastri dropped off and looked for the switchback on exit. Unfortunately, Hulkenberg populated the area of track which Piastri thought he had spotted, resulting in contact.

Piastri was sent onto two wheels and slammed into the side of Norris’ sister McLaren, with both driv

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