Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has blamed Fernando Alonso for triggering the first corner chaos in the United States Grand Prix Sprint, which saw the McLarens collide again.
Max Verstappen made an excellent start from pole and was comfortably ahead going into the first corner, while chaos unfolded behind.
Lando Norris opted for an inside line into Turn 1, while Oscar Piastri attempted a switch back. However, as he tucked underneath Norris, he was struck by Nico Hulkenberg.
The Stake F1 driver started in fourth and took a similar line to Norris into the first corner, while Fernando Alonso took a very tight line on the German's inside.
Hulkenberg hit Alonso and Piastri, with the latter having then struck Norris. Of the four, only Hulkenberg managed to continue despite spinning.
It was swiftly decided that it was a racing incident by the stewards, although Marko believes it was Alonso at fault.
"I think mainly Alonso took care of it," Marko told Sky DE. "After that it became a chain reaction.
"That happens in the first corner. It invites, because it's such a wide corner. It's a racing incident, and I think the two McLaren drivers are innocent this time."
With both McLarens crashing out, Verstappen faced little challenge for victory at the Circuit of the Americas, to reduce his deficit in the drivers' title to 55 points.
George Russell did briefly challenge the Dutchman, although the Mercedes driver hurt his tyres in doing so. Overall, it was another supreme display by Verstappen.
"Max was sovereign," Marko added. "George Russell overheated his tyres by attacking Max and after that it was a formality.
"The two safety cars didn't make it more difficult either. But you see what can happen here, let's see how it goes on Sunday."
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