Written by Meghana Sree
It’s home-race-heartbreak for Oscar Piastri who misses out on a podium, with the Aussie curse returning in a dramatic 2025 season opener.
Oscar Piastri was all set for the 2025 season opener in Melbourne, buzzing with high spirits on home soil. Lining up second on the grid behind his teammate Lando Norris, Piastri was confident in his abilities to put up a fight and try to become the first Australian to win the Australian Grand Prix.
Going into the race, plenty of unknowns were thrown at the drivers, including unpredictable wet weather, an aborted start, a slew of Safety Cars, and mercurial track conditions.
Initially managing well in the conditions, the Australian driver kept the pressure steady on Norris up ahead, poised for an overtake if he saw the opportunity. The first seed of frustration was planted when McLaren asked Piastri to “hold positions” to which Piastri responded by saying that he was clearly faster.
As the laps ticked down, McLaren were in a comfortable position at the top, Piastri expertly fending off the charging Max Verstappen behind him, and Norris leading with a considerable gap.
However, with heavier rain on the horizon, disaster struck for the Papaya team on lap 44.
Battling the increasingly wet track on slicks, Norris and Piastri oversteered off the track in costly spins. While Norris recovered quickly, Piastri’s momentum while trying to return to the track spun him back onto the grass, as the Australian crowd groaned in disbelief. Yet Piastri did not give up, and much to the adulation of his home supporters, he fired up the car and got back running.
He trundled back into the pits for a change of tyres but unfortunately the damage was already done. Returning to the track on intermediates, prepared to gain back positions, the Australian found himself a whole lap behind — his home race hopes were now truly broken.
While Norris went on to win the race, keeping Verstappen at bay, Piastri inched into the points, claiming ninth place after an aggressive pass on Lewis Hamilton in the scarlet Ferrari.
With a sigh of frustration and disappointment, the home hero gave his thoughts over the radio, stating: “A lot of positives today. Pretty painful at the moment but we did a lot of things right. Sorry about that mistake.”
After the race, Piastri took it on the chin and held himself accountable: “I don’t have anyone to blame but myself.
“I think it was unfortunate to get stuck. But it was only myself that put me there. I am disappointed.”
The Australian driver will be anticipating a strong recovery performance in China next week, in a bid to help McLaren defend the World Constructors’ Championship this year.
