AUSTIN, Texas — Title rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris collided at the start of Saturday’s U.S. Grand Prix, with both drivers being out of the race handing Max Verstappen a golden opportunity to close in on the battling McLaren teammates.
As they rounded Turn 1, Piastri was tagged by Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg as he looked to cut back underneath Norris. The contact catapulted him into Norris’ car.
Norris retired on the spot, while Piastri also retired — a radio message suggested he had suspension damage from the incident.
Coming into the race, Piastri led Norris by 22 points, with Verstappen 63 points off the Australian.
A sprint win is worth eight points, meaning Verstappen could go into the U.S. Grand Prix itself 55 points off the lead McLaren.
McLaren has repeatedly stressed Verstappen is still a wildcard outsider in the championship fight.
