F1 TV’s Jolyon Palmer delivered a sharp analysis of the chaotic start to the 2025 United States Grand Prix Sprint at the Circuit of the Americas. The focus: a dramatic Turn 1 collision that instantly ended the race for both McLaren teammates, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
The carnage began as Piastri attempted an aggressive move on Norris uphill to the first corner. As Piastri cut back inside after yielding, contact with Nico Hülkenberg’s Sauber sent him airborne and into Norris, ripping off wheels and wrecking suspension for both cars. They retired immediately, dashing McLaren’s hopes in the Sprint and the championship battle.
Palmer noted how this early wreck wiped crucial points from Piastri’s lead and highlighted the high stakes of racing at COTA. He broke down the split-second decisions and the tricky dynamics of Turn 1, underscoring how a slight misjudgment cascaded into a full team disaster.
Max Verstappen seized pole and led the Sprint from start to finish, surviving a tense lap-one Safety Car that neutralized post-crash chaos and fended off a charging George Russell. The four-time World Champion’s victory pulled Piastri 55 points back in the title race, after being 104 points behind just four races prior.
McLaren’s frustration was palpable post-race. Norris called the crash caused by others’ carelessness, while Piastri admitted bitter disappointment losing ground in the title fight. Meanwhile, collateral damage ended Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso’s race early.
Palmer’s episode on F1 TV dives deeper into these moments shaping the US GP drama. Fans can catch the full analysis and past editions at F1TV.com to relive the action and insight from this pivotal weekend.
