Oscar Piastri returns to his home in Australia for the first time as an F1 driver. The McLaren driver will finally give the Aussie F1 fans a homegrown talent to cheer for in the absence of Daniel Ricciardo.
Piastri has had a difficult start so far but has managed to prove the hype surrounding him. The 21-year-old managed to muscle his MCL60 into Q3 and started the race P8.
Piastri and McLaren are yet to score their first point of the season. Hopefully, the home support will motivate the youngster to push further and grab his first F1 points in his maiden run in Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit.
Oscar Piastri grew 15 minutes away from Albert Park
Oscar Piastri is not just the only Australian on the grid. He is also a Melbourne local. Piastri is also the first Melbourne-born F1 driver to race in F1 since the legendary former F1 champion Alan Jones.
The McLaren driver has fond memories of Albert Park as he resided just 15 mins from the circuit perimeter. Finally, after years of preparation, the Aussie will get to drive in his home GP.
Piastri said, “It is very special to race in my home country and also, my hometown. I played Aussie Rules footy and cricket on some of the ovals that are now the paddock, so it feels special to be at home this weekend.”
A special race calls for a special helmet! 🤩🦘 @OscarPiastri#AusGP 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/zXmWgVQwbe
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 30, 2023
The race also marks the first race in Australia for the 21-year-old. The last time the youngster raced in his country was while he was still karting after which he moved to Europe further his racing career.
He added, “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.”
Piastri shares another memory from the Australian GP
Oscar Piastri has another memory from the Australian GP. Back in 2015, the Aussie was one of the grid kids for the event. Grid-kids were children who used to hold the flags of each driver’s nationality.
Piastri was assigned Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat. Unfortunately for young Oscar, he was unable to meet the Russian driver as Kvyat was unable to start after a transmission failure.
The hometown boy has arrived to a hero’s welcome too! 🙌 @OscarPiastri#AusGP 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/Uz9LIqkeLL
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 30, 2023
He claimed, “I was holding Kvyat’s flag, but he broke down on the lap-to-grid, so I never actually got to see him. It was pretty special to see someone holding my flag this time.”
Australian drivers have a rather difficult time scoring points in their home race. Since the inaugural Australian GP no Australian driver has secured a podium or won a race at their home track.
Piastri won’t be able to break the curse this year. Hopefully, he scores his first F1 points and has a good run in his maiden outing.
