First car race for Piastri in home country Australia: 'Hopefully more luck'

The Australian Grand Prix is a very special one for Oscar Piastri. Not only is it his first home race in Formula 1, but it is also the first time he has competed in a race in his home country (excluding his time in karts), with Albert Park just 15 minutes away from where he grew up.

"Yeah, very, very special, obviously. To race in my home country and also, like you said, hometown as well," Piastri began at the press conference in Melbourne. "I played Aussie Rules footy and cricket on some of the ovals that are now the paddock, so yeah, very special to be at home this weekend."

The remarkable thing about his first F1 race in his home country is that he has never driven there before, even in other racing classes. "The last time I raced in Australia, I was still in go-karts. I think it was seven years ago now. So yeah, nice to get out on a racetrack in Oz," says the McLaren driver.

He has, however, visited the Australian Grand Prix before, albeit in a different role. In 2022, he was there as reserve driver for Alpine, but also attended in 2015. "I was a grid-kid, actually for Dany Kvyat, so I was holding Dany Kvyat’s flag, and he broke down on the lap-to-grid, so I never actually got to see him," he continued. "It's pretty special to have someone holding my flag this time, but hopefully I have better luck."