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'Relaxed' Piastri eyeing history at Australian GP
Oliver Caffrey, AAP • March 16th, 2025 6:00 am
Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
On the verge of creating history, McLaren star Oscar Piastri feels relaxed heading into his third Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
The Melbourne-born driver will start Sunday's F1 season-opener from second on the grid after being pipped for pole by his teammate Lando Norris.
Growing up 15 minutes away from Albert Park, Piastri admitted to feeling pressure and expectation for his first two home GPs in 2023 and 2024.
But after winning two races last season, McLaren coming off an unexpected constructors championship and blitzing rivals with their pace, the 23-year-old is feeling good.
"This is the most relaxed I've been at my home race," Piastri said.
"The first two years, especially the first year I came here, it was a pretty overwhelming experience. Even last year, it was still a pretty big experience.
"This year I've just been able to enjoy it a bit more; maybe because I've been a bit more confident in the car under me. But I've really been enjoying it and been enjoying the support.
"I feel like the support's gone up a little bit since last year as well. It's amazing what happens when you start winning stuff. But no, it's great to have all the home support and very appreciated."
Top three qualifiers Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen pose for a photo | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
Piastri is aiming to become the first Australian driver to stand on the podium in Melbourne, let alone win, since the GP moved from Adelaide ahead of 1996.
Alan Jones was the most recent local winner of the Australian GP, back in 1980 at Calder Park Raceway, before the race joined the F1 world championship calendar in 1985.
But Englishman Norris threatens to spoil the party after producing some hot pace in qualifying.
"We're both competitors," Norris said of his relationship with Piastri.
"We both want to fight for a win and fight for victories. There's boundaries around the car, just a little bit more space here and there, but we're free to race."
As always, four-time defending champion Max Verstappen will loom large after qualifying third.
Attention will also focus on seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who will start his first race for Ferrari from eighth following his high-profile switch from Mercedes.
Drivers are preparing for the first wet GP in Melbourne since 2010, with up to 20mm of rain predicted on Sunday.
The 58-lap race will get underway at 5pm NZ time.
