Hope builds for Melbourne hero Oscar Piastri who clocked the fastest time in the Australian F1 Grand Prix practice runs

Local hero Oscar Piastri clocks the fastest time in the practice runs at the 2025 Australian F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Oscar Piastri has maintained momentum in the qualifying races at the Australian F1 Grand Prix at Albert Park.

He led the pack winning Q2 in 1.15min followed closely by McLaren teammate Lando Norris who was behind by 0.088s and current champion Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Alpine racer Jack Doohan was knocked out in Q2 but could still find himself a starting position for his debut home Grand Prix.

Mercedes Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg, Red Bull’s Liam Lawson, Hass’ Esteban Ocon and teammate Bearman are all out in Q1.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri opens his eyes to adjust for the bright light as he is fitted into the car before heading out on the track. Picture: NewsWire/ David Caird

Hometown hero Piastri clocked the fastest time in the practices runs on Saturday.

Piastri led the pack for McLaren finishing in 1.15 mins, ahead of George Russell for Mercedes and Max Verstappen for Red Bull.

Despite it being the fastest time in a final practice run ahead of the qualifying race, Russell was only 0.039s off the pace and champion Verstappen a mere 0.081s behind.

The last time an Australian won a practice run was Mark Webber in 2011, but it wasn’t a sign of things to come, he finished fifth in the final race.

Piastri will be fighting to become the first Australian to win a Grand Prix at home.

I seem to have multiplied pic.twitter.com/QRL1xWVgOh

— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) March 13, 2025

The F1 qualifying race starts at 4pm on Saturday with anticipation building for the local lad as people flock to social media to cheer on the GP racer.

“Oscar is doing great, love how’s he is pushing the car to its limit while not making any wrong decisions today,” Liz said on X.

“Oscar Piastri my goat,” Shan echoed.

This race week just keeps giving people more and more reasons to smile 🥹🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/iHTnJ1kmOK

— did oscar score points in f1 today? (@oscarpiastri81) March 15, 2025

McLaren’s Lando Norris is tipped to win the 2025 Australian Grand Prix. Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images.

But it is Piastri’s McLaren teammate Lando Norris who is tipped to stand on top of the podium at the end of Sunday’s race.

The British racer ended 2024 with four wins and will be looking to take the crown from Verstappen who has been F1’s champion driver for four consecutive years since 2021.

Norris finished 10th in the practice run.

Hass driver Oliver Bearman crashed out of the final practice run minutes into the race on his Grand Prix debut.

It was Bearman’s second prang at Albert Park after he crashed in FP1 and missed FP2 from the damage.

More to come.